Slow drivers generally not only can be a hazard they are a hazard.

Slow drivers are of several types. They vary from the very old person who is unsure of what they are doing to the saint who is determined never to exceed the speed limit and, therefore, drives at five miles below the limit in the fast lane.

Both are dangerous.

The old person's uncertainty is probably compounded with poor eye sight, especially peripheral eyesight, as well as poor reactions. They can be a danger wherever they drive even more so when they think they are doing well by driving slowly. Hesitation is their hallmark hesitation in changing lanes, turning corners, taking the exit ramp, or simply being in the wrong lane up to the very last minute. They also generally ignore what is going on in their rear view mirror, so don't count on them knowing where you are at any time.

The saintly driver knows exactly where you are and is determined, not only to be a saint, but to correct your behavior by not allowing you to drive by. He is not about to pull to the left-hand curb lane even if you ask him kindly to do so (with a flash of your headlights). Obstruction is the hallmark of his driving. He also likes to obstruct other drivers in leaving the highway.

A third type of slow driver is usually a woman who doesn't know what she is doing. Thoughtlessness is the hallmark of her driving. She doesn't even know what her speed is because she is usually too busy chatting to her passenger or to someone on her cell phone. When asked to move over (with a flash of your lights) you can see her reaction is of the "Oh dear! Am I doing something wrong?" and then for a while she corrects her driving and she may even pull over until she becomes more interested in chatting again and acts thoughtlessly again.

These types of drivers are very recognizable and although I have heard it said that they cause rear-end crashes, that's not true because they are easy to avoid. That probably means driving around them carefully and leaving them behind.

Unfortunately, that's one of slow driver's principal hazards they cause everyone who catches them to drive around them. When a driver causes truck drivers to change lanes to get around and then to change lanes again all manner of others are in danger. If an accident happens of course the slow driver generally tootles along wondering what all the fuss is about behind them.

Learn more about this author, John Graham.
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