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

[ScarboroughFairy]

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

There is no such thing as “the slow lane”.

When driving on a dual carriageway or motorway you should stick to the left unless overtaking a slower moving vehicle.

Please don’t try and tell an already clueless person about “slow lane” bollocks. There’s no such think as a “fast lane” either incase you were wondering.

I wish it was bleeding obvious to some drivers near me.

Well, I agree with you there. I meant it was obvious that a driving instructor would have also said that but it's not relevant to the point the poster was making. Plenty idiots drive far too fast on winding country roads and plenty of idiots drive too slowly too.

@ScarboroughFairy I hope your username isn't geographically close to you intended destination...

Driving that slow is definitely not a good idea. You need to work out why your so frightened of accidents as most people wouldn't even think about. Yes accidents happen but millions of journeys will happen without incident everyday.

Get yourself some additional driver training if you're so nervous.

I went to NI just after the 45mph speed limit was introduced for new drivers, whilst it seemed a good idea it was a bit frustrating being stuck behind a new driver for miles with no way of passing due to the double white lines.

Theres got to be a back road route b roads?

People will overtake causing more danger to road users. Go another route or at least drive at 50mph. You’d fail your driving test for driving too slow.

No, there aren't. Every single route takes you on A roads and the less direct routes are incredibly winding, over mountain passes (where snow gates are often closed) and would be much more dangerous. Nevermind the fact it would take more than 6 hours 1 way vs. just over 3 on the A9 or A90. Have you ever driven in Scotland?

Oh there is, but it's far longer and not a particularly easy set of roads to drive on! Her satnav would probably have coniptions too.

I suspect she's so frightened because she knows she's not a competent driver. I also suspect she isn't from Scotland so isn't used to our roads.

I mean, can you imagine her driving over The Lecht at this time of year!

OP, Inverness to Edinburgh is 160 miles. That's FOUR hours at 40mph. And then another 4 hours going hame.

If you do that, you will infuriate.half the drivers in Scotland. Please, get the train.

I actually think it's fine, even if some find it frustrating. I believe the advice used to be that you just must be 'making progress'.

No, there really aren't, unless you count unlit untarmac'ed tracks with sheep wandering on them, which was my experience of being diverted off the A9 late one night after an accident closed it.

An ex in-law of mine used to drive at 30mph on Motorways and Dual Carriageways. She also used to drive at 15 to 20mph on A roads. I think she avoided twisty country roads as much as possible as they really scared her. She was involved in far more car incidents than the rest of us, mainly because of how slow she drove. As PPs have said, other drivers got so upset with her through the frustration of going so slow, that they would make risky manoeuvres in order to get past her!

Who rattled your cage.

Drive only about 10% slower if you have to and can do so safely. Remember to not increase your speed in the sections where there are dedicated passing lanes for others to easily pass you.

Do not become frazzled with cars passing you or driving up behind you.

Take regular breaks.

Give yourself an extra couple of hours. Leave in time to miss the evening peak hour near Edinburgh.

Choose more scenic routes where you can.

Plan to Park and Ride somewhere like - Ingliston or Hermiston are good options.

Don't! I wouldn't want to and I've been driving on these roads for decades. I live between the A93 and A9 on the A923, the back roads round here are bad enough.

Obviously you giving false advice out 🤣🤣

Take the train - will be safer for everyone

Most of the A9 are big open stretches of road where it’s perfectly safe doing 60mph, drove it there and back once a week for years. Many crashes are due to bad weather, people not driving to road conditions, dangerous overtaking, not driving at the speed limit. You will be fine OP and travelling at 40mph all the way would be madness. Have a couple of breaks on the way if it helps - if there still a cafe at Ralia that used to be my go to for a bacon sarnie and a coffee!

Same

yesterday I was following someone doing 40 on a 60 road. Drove me nuts. As couldn’t overtake

different if bad weather or Country lanes but for no reason it’s dangerous and annoying

You come across as a bit of a nervous driver.

I'm not familiar with the A road in question, I'm in London... but how many lanes does it have?

Some A roads have up to 3 lanes, so people would overtake you, leaving you at the slow speed. A slow driver isn't a problem for me, as long as there's another lane for me to overtake. Otherwise, it's extremely frustrating.

I would expect someone driving at the speed you're proposing to be in the 'slow lane'... yes, yes its the left lane, before people have a hissy fit with me saying left lane and not left lane.

There is no "just" about it. "Making progress" is jargon which wraps up a load of driving behaviours, including broadly keeping up with the traffic. I think consistent 40 in a 60 would be a major fault ie a test fail. PP mentioned it happened to her upthread. .

When did you pass you driving test? The 1960s?