by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: March 04, 2007   Last Updated: March 20, 2012

Are you driving too fast or too slow? Either extreme may be dangerous to yourself and other motorists.

Driving too fast?

Speed kills. Everyone knows that. That's the first lesson in driver education. High-speed motor vehicle collisions are statistically more dangerous and damaging than slow-speed collisions.

Lead-footed drivers and daredevils, who race their vehicles on the roadway, may be subject to high-priced traffic tickets and increased annual insurance rates as well.

Driving too slow?

However, driving too slowly can also be hazardous. Driving too slowly in the passing lane is particularly dangerous. Driving slowly in the fast lane aggravates other motorists, especially those who are eager to pass the slower vehicles.

This practice of poking along at a snail's pace in the passing lane actually tempts other drivers to tailgate the slower vehicle. Such a situation can contribute to road rage and dangerous driver interactions.

Faster motorists may even swerve suddenly into the slower lane to pass the creeping car, which is driving too slowly in the fast lane. Accidents can easily result.

Sudden stops

Also, sudden braking (for no apparent reason) leads to countless rear-end collisions each year. Statistically, slower drivers tend to practice sudden stops more than others. In fact, multi-car pile-ups can be caused, as cars become lined up behind the puttering car.

Minimum speed limits

Some thoroughfares even have published and posted minimum speed limits. In the U.K. and many U.S. states, drivers may actually be ticketed and fined for driving too slowly on major thoroughfares.

Mechanical difficulties

Slow drivers may have many valid and invalid reasons for their sluggishness on the road: mechanical problems, uncertainty about the directions to their destinations, behind-the-wheel cell phone usage, vision problems or other physical issues.

Whatever their reasons or excuses, slower drivers ought to stay in the slower lane, wherever possible, and allow faster vehicles to pass safely.

If distractions warrant, slower drivers may choose to pull off the road in a safe place until such a situation may be resolved. For example, if a driver becomes suddenly ill or otherwise impaired, stopping his or her car in a safe spot is essential.

Emergency vehicles

Of course, in an emergency (such as a flat tire or engine failure), a vehicle may travel quite slowly. In such a case, the driver will attempt to make his or her way to the shoulder of the road with the vehicle hazard lights flashing. This slow driving exception, clearly telegraphed to other drivers, is perfectly acceptable.

As much as possible, let's try to keep traffic moving along on the roadways at a safe pace, not too fast or too slow.

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