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

About 20 years ago.

You're in London so your opinion on driving the A9 is irrelevant. Some folk have no idea what roads are like in Scotland so needn't chime in with advice that has absolutely no value for the OP to the journey in question. I wouldn't dream of trying to advise someone on how to drive in London, beyond the bleeding obvious.

You should know better then!

Also, Ive just checked and it is still relevant to today's tests. Although admittedly vague, it is probably designed to be so.

Personally, I have more of a problem with people minimising speeding habits to be fair, they usually think they are in control until they kill someone.

Than to quote a test phrase?

Most deaths and accidents on this particular road are caused by people overtaking slow vehicles - mostly tourists that don't know how to drive. The police will give you advice on the "making progress is fine" fallacy.

Yes! Driving too slowly is dangerous and a major cause of accidents.

That isn't the fault of the slow driver then is it, it's entirely down to the person behind making a manoeuvre when it is not safe to do so.

If you aren't comfortable driving, then you shouldn't be driving.

Read the whole thread. This has been discussed ad nauseam. Yes, it's the slow driver's fault as fewer people would perform dangerous overtaking if some idiot wasn't driving hundreds of miles at 20mph under the speed limit. Even the lorries go faster than that. Hence why the police will stop you, fine you and issue penalty points for driving too slowly.

Thank you, I already have. However, if you overtake dangerously it will be entirely your fault. End of story. You cannot simply say you were in a rush and annoyed at a slow driver, that will not be considered an acceptable excuse.

So you think the slow driver is not culpable at all?

Indeed. They would quite rightly not be blamed for a different driver being too impatient and careless as to wait for a safe time to overtake.

There's literally no point arguing the toss with me when it's law in Scotland. Here it is in black and white for you, copied and pasted as you don't belive my summaries:

Driving significantly below the speed limit for no reason can be considered "careless or inconsiderate driving" under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Contributory Negligence: a court might find the slow driver contributed to the accident (contributory negligence) if their slow speed created a hazard, even if the overtaker was the primary cause.
If the slow driver was creating a dangerous, long queue on a narrow, fast road, they are more likely to be considered partially responsible.
Road Safety Law: It is an offence to drive without reasonable consideration for other road users. This includes driving at an inappropriately slow speed, which can result in a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.

Well, your belief is wrong. Come up to Scotland and give it a go and try to argue that to the police if they stop you. See how well that goes down.

The police would disagree with you

As I say, the primary cause is the dangerous, impatient driver, which you clearly state.

If you did that on your driving test you’d fail. There’s a reason why you’d fail, you’re not safe or competent if you drive like that.

That isn't what it says, the primary cause is not the slow driver.

You have no idea where I live or have lived.

That's not what you said and you know it. Quotes from your posts:

"They would quite rightly not be blamed"
"it's entirely down to the person behind"
"it will be entirely your fault"

So either you are being deliberately obtuse because you cannot admit when you are wrong or you love spoiling for an argument with strangers online. Or, you don't know what the word "entirely" actually means.

I know where you don't drive anyway. Are you a woman?

Neither, if someone is hurt it won't be the slow driver that is blamed. They may get a slap on the wrist but they will not be at fault. The cause is the dangerous, impatient driver.

Do you? What difference would my being a man or woman make to you I wonder?

That's clearly not true, as the law states. If you remove the slow driver from the equation, does the accident still happen? No, it doesn't. So, what caused the accident?