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

i would take another route where 40 mph is ok

There isn't another route where 40mph is okay. Every route involves A roads at some point. Other routes also involve mountain passes and very winding country roads which are far more dangerous and still 60mph but with far fewer opportunities for other vehicles to overtake. Also, they would at least double an already long drive time.

Still the one who overtakes carelessly, risking lives.

If there is 1 vehicle holding up miles of traffic on the A9, the police will be alerted and will pull the driver over and fine them and issue penalty points. Seen it many times.

Overtakes what though? There's no slow car to overtake.

"They were driving slowly." would not be an excuse in court. The person overtaking is legally responsible for ensuring their manoeuvre is safe, if they cause an accident because it was dangerous to do so then they are at fault.

Road hog springs to mind not sure exactly why

Because it's very unusual for a woman to argue on and on like this when they have been proven wrong. And you clearly have no experience of the road in question. That is very apparent.

Yet you appear to be doing so. You have no idea either way and nothing to base your assumptions on. We clearly disagree and that's fine.

When I was learning I was told you should 'keep up with the flow of the traffic'. Driving below the speed limit for no apparent reason can cause you to become a 'collector', you at the front and 10 other cars behind all getting more frustrated because they have places to be.

Can you drive when the road is more empty?

I appear to be doing what?

I wasn’t talking about primary cause. You said that the slow driver had ‘no culpability at all’.

Pretty much yes, they may get a slap on the wrist, dangerous overtaking is far more worrying and reckless than someone going a bit slow.

Arguing, clearly.

But I haven't been proven wrong, you have, yet you still insist you are correct. That was my point. When presented with evidence to the contrary, you still insist you are correct.

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.

As an example I regularly drive a 35 mile journey on a single lane road. If I average 50 mph (because I slow down for bends etc) it takes 42 minutes. If I have to average 35 mph (because I assume you will also slow down for bends, even though there is likely not going to be a need to) it will take an hour. Even if you average 40, it will still take 52.5 minutes.

Being generous, let’s take the average of 40 mins. Say this was my route to work (it’s not but is for many) and I do it 5 times a week, both ways. If I’m stuck behind you each way I lose 125 minutes a week because you are too timid to drive appropriately in the conditions. If you can’t even average 40 mph, it’s more like 180 minutes.

Setting aside the possible dangers, do you really want to be that much of a selfish dick? I also drive a Horsebox on this route and I can’t go very fast in that. I just pull over lots and leave time for that. It would be completely crazy to do otherwise.

As do you, the evidence is clear to me that the person held responsible for an accident is the dangerous overtaker. I don't know why you wish to carry on arguing. We must agree to disagree.

I am off to get ready for work now, I shall endeavour not to drive too slowly to ensure there is little risk of infuriating any aggressive drivers behind me!

Just read it’s the A90. Not my route but I know it well and you will be an absolute danger to yourself and others going that slowly. Please don’t drive.

Exactly. And this journey is over 150 miles, one way with limited opportunities for overtaking. Could be stuck behind her for hours!

No, not pretty much. Are you this blase about all aspects of the law or is it just driving offenses that you turn a blind eye to?

I won't agree to disagree because you are so very clearly wrong but too arrogant to admit it. You presented me with no evidence whatsoever. I quoted you the actual law. Case closed. Try not to hold up the traffic on the way to work. Wishing you a pleasant day and safe commuting.

If you’re driving that slowly on a dual carriageway then you’re likely to cause an accident not avoid one.

I don’t want to be harsh but if you can’t drive safely at the correct speed then you shouldn’t be driving on a road like that.

I would avoid the drive for now and book in some lessons to help you get over your anxiety. It sounds like you’ve built it up in your head and I guarantee it won’t be as bad as you’re thinking when you don’t feel confident enough to drive it.

Drive to the conditions.
dont piss people off. If you think its ok to do this, you should not be driving.

if a speed limits is 60, drive it

If the roads are fine to do 60mph, people will slow down for bends accordingly. If you are only happy to do 40mph, you’ll presumably also go around the bends like a snail. People won’t expect that and, if they haven’t seen you in the distance, they’ll come up behind you much faster.

Driving to the speed limit when the road and weather conditions are safe to do so is far safer than blanket driving at 40! There’s a 50 road near me and so many bad drivers won’t go over 35/40 when it’s dry and clear. They then invariably continue at 35/40 when the speed changes down to 30 for a town. Either they’re stupid enough to think driving at an “average” speed cancels out or they’re paying so little attention that they don’t know what they’re doing.

Do everyone a favour and stop driving if you’re that anxious.