Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is it okay to drive well below the speed limit on a main road?

695 replies

ScarboroughFairy · 01/02/2026 23:38

Hi all, tomorrow I’ll be driving on a main road where the speed limit is 60mph, but I’m thinking of sticking to 40mph. I know it’s well under the limit, but I just feel safer at that speed. Does anyone else do this

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ThejoyofNC · 02/02/2026 08:22

Pretty ironic that you want to risk causing an accident because you're scared of having an accident.

You shouldn't be driving.

Willowywisp · 02/02/2026 08:23

Womaninhouse17 · 02/02/2026 07:55

There's no law saying you have to drive at the speed limit but on a clear straight road, you could be holding up other traffic if you go at 40 mph. It sounds odd to 'decide' in advance what speed to do as you don't know what conditions will be like. Will the road be dry? Busy? Will it be foggy or raining? Your speed should always be informed by current conditions, not something you decide in advance.

You're right, there is no law that says you have to drive at the speed limit but there is a law about driving too slowly. 40 in a 60 would fall under that category.

OhBuggerandArse · 02/02/2026 08:24

ScarboroughFairy · 02/02/2026 00:25

i will be driving down toedinburgh from in inverness

Edited

Why would you be driving on the A90 rather than the A9?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
Nezukokamado · 02/02/2026 08:24

This is incredibly dangerous and selfish

Bonkers1966 · 02/02/2026 08:26

It's fine as long as you don't mind upsetting your fellow motorists and potentially causing an incident.

Willowywisp · 02/02/2026 08:27

Ocelotfeet27 · 02/02/2026 08:18

You won't get better and more comfortable at driving OP unless you get more experience. Just do what speed feels safe on any given stretch of road. Some bits of the main roads near me (small-ish country lanes) I would do 55, some i would do 40, some I would do 25. Assess what people around you are doing and use that as a barometer to help you work out are you going dangerously slow or dangerously fast, or ok. You will probably have a car in front of you you can follow by setting a safe distance between the two of you and matching their speed (unless they are a lunatic!).

My friend was similar to you driving (very anxious) and one day decided not to do a difficult trip and then lost her confidence altogether and now doesn't drive. Another friend was also nervous but then needed to drive for work and doing it every day built her confidence and now she's fine. Don't let your anxiety beat you. But maybe do this kind of tricky road on a day when you aren't in a rush and can just come and go on your timeline (ie not meeting someone). Definitely worth investing in Pass Plus lessons if you have the time/money, it really boosts driving confidence for most people.

Good advice. I would suggest a much shorter drive initially though as this one will be exhausting and requires a lot of concentration. The dual carriageways around Inverness would be a good starting place. Can go up to the next roundabout and then head back.

ChapmanFarm · 02/02/2026 08:28

@ScarboroughFairy there are plenty of seats left on the 10.22 Ember bus.

It's £19 and they are nice electric coaches

Tink3rbell30 · 02/02/2026 08:28

If that's a dual carriageway then I wouldn't do 40 but I don't drive the speed limit on those either.

Firetreev · 02/02/2026 08:29

ScarboroughFairy · 02/02/2026 00:25

i will be driving down toedinburgh from in inverness

Edited

Absolutely do not do this on the A9, that is madness and a big part of why accidents happen on that road. Slow drivers lead to dangerous overtakes. If you can't manage to drive at the speed limit in safe conditions, take the train!

Chenecinquantecinq · 02/02/2026 08:29

You'd fail your driving test of course it isn't ok you should not be driving if you can't drive properly!

Waterbaby41 · 02/02/2026 08:30

Please get some top up driving lessons as you are obviously a very nervous driver. You are more likely to cause a crash because of this.

Willowywisp · 02/02/2026 08:30

thirdfiddle · 02/02/2026 08:20

Did you read my whole post or just the first sentence? If you read on to the second sentence you'll find I was reassuring OP that she'll be fine driving at the speed of ambient traffic.

Show quote history

All of it.

Roseshavethorns · 02/02/2026 08:30

There is a good bus and train service between Inverness and Edinburgh.
I wouldn't drive the A9 at 40 especially on the single carriageway stretches. I find the A9 between Inverness and Perth easy to drive at 60, like driving anywhere just keep your mind on the road.

Willowywisp · 02/02/2026 08:33

sewingstockings · 02/02/2026 08:20

It’s an easy run. You will probably get stuck behind a truck on the single lane.
when it hits the dual carriageway then you just overtake.
Most of the crashes happen on the single lane when sombody overtakes when they really shouldn’t. All I can say is be aware and get treatment for your anxiety or extra driving lessons to increase your confidence.

Show quote history

I think the issue is that the trucks are going to get stuck behind her doing 40mph the whole way. How she thinks she'll manage the motorway in Edinburgh is beyond me.

Womaninhouse17 · 02/02/2026 08:33

Willowywisp · 02/02/2026 08:23

You're right, there is no law that says you have to drive at the speed limit but there is a law about driving too slowly. 40 in a 60 would fall under that category.

Show quote history

There's not a law about driving too slowly - you could drive at 20 if you wanted to as long as you weren't holding up other traffic. The problem is if you are causing a nuisance for other road users.

skilpadde · 02/02/2026 08:34

As someone who regularly uses the full length of the A9, I can only say this:

Do not drive the A9 (or the M90 after Perth), at 40mph!

You will be an absolute hazard on the road. Big chunks of the A9 are still 60mph single carriageway (thanks, SNP government)… you will cause huge tailbacks.

Given the journey should take a bit over 3 hours, and you’ll be taking 5 hours, it will only be a matter of time before you’re pulled over by police.

Please take the train (14 per day) or the bus (8 per day). That’s 22 better options than driving a car when you’re not competent to do so.

Willowywisp · 02/02/2026 08:35

TheGoddessAthena · 02/02/2026 08:21

This thread is WILD. So many comments from people who have never driven on the A9 but still feel they have the duty to share the benefit of their wisdom.

"Just take another route to avoid dual carriageways" - what would that be? Down the side of Loch Ness and through Glencoe? Over the Kincardine Bridge and through the back roads of West Lothian? Sure, if you have 8 hours or more to spend.

I really hope the OP is on her way to Inverness bus station to get a Citylink ticket.

Glad someone said it. It's clearly obvious those who have no idea about the roads in Scotland yet feel it's worth commenting regardless, and those who do.

BellaVita · 02/02/2026 08:35

Definitely not.

WomenAreNotForSale · 02/02/2026 08:36

ScarboroughFairy · 02/02/2026 01:12

i wonder whythat is that crashes usually happen within five miles of the home

Show quote history

Because the vast majority of journeys are within 5 miles from home. The PP is a little muddled - this doesn't mean it's safer to travel further!

OP the A9 can be a bit daunting, if you're not used to driving it that is a big trip to take all at once. I suggest starting smaller to practise - try Aviemore first, for example.

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 02/02/2026 08:37

Tablesandchairs23 · 02/02/2026 05:34

No driving to slow is as dangerous as driving to fast. Speed limits are there for a reason its not pick and mix. If you dont feel confident you shouldn't be driving.

Limits= maximum

DotAndCarryOne2 · 02/02/2026 08:37

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 02/02/2026 08:12

Just remember people, speed limit is a limit not a target.
Happy to help

You can be prosecuted or fined for driving too slowly. In certain circumstances it’s considered driving without due care and attention, or reasonable consideration for other road users. Unless there’s a valid reason down to the conditions or vehicle damage, police can issue a £100 fine and three penalty points for causing a hazard or holding up traffic by driving too slowly for the road or conditions.

On some roads there is actually a minimum speed - a circular blue sign with the minimum speed in white lettering. The concerning factor here is that OP is considering using a road with a specific limit and planning to drive well below that regardless of the appropriateness.

WomenAreNotForSale · 02/02/2026 08:38

Waterbaby41 · 02/02/2026 08:30

Please get some top up driving lessons as you are obviously a very nervous driver. You are more likely to cause a crash because of this.

More likely than what? This is a nonsensical statement.

Changename12 · 02/02/2026 08:39

I presume you mean the A9 and not the A90. Yes there are many crashes on it. A lot of the accidents are caused by people trying to overtake other drivers going too slowly. Lorries are limited to 50 mph on this road so maybe you could up your speed to that.

DotAndCarryOne2 · 02/02/2026 08:39

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 02/02/2026 08:37

Limits= maximum

Show quote history

And there’s something called appropriate speed for the road and conditions. If you create a hazard by driving too slowly you can be prosecuted.