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

Yes, some people do but driving 40 in a 60 can be unsafe. If you go slower, stay left and don’t hold up traffic.

There are large sections where overtaking is not possible. She absolutely will hold up traffic.

’I’m scared of driving’ wouldn’t be an excuse for the slow driver in court either.

Being righteous won’t bring back loved ones killed by overtaking drivers. There will always be idiots on the road, but I’d rather prevent an accident by driving responsibly (ie not 20mph under the speed limit) than have an ‘I told you so’ moment after a crash.

OP I’ve read all your posts and honestly think you would be best to check for a train or coach tomorrow. The A9 is a beautiful but dreadful road, should have been dualled by now and your nervousness combined with the winter weather is a recipe for at best a horrible stressful drive for you and those who are stuck or forced into dangerous overtaking and at worst an accident.

There is a reason the arguments about dualling it have gone on for so many years.

For anyone who doesn’t know the road there is a section in this article “why do people dread driving it”? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-64581289

a classmate of mine was killed on it. It’s not an exaggeration how deadly this road is.

The reason is because people going too slowly indirectly cause accidents because people will try to overtake them.

This in spades if you are not comfortable driving at a normal speed get off the road

You shouldn’t be driving, I’m afraid. Not sure why you wouldn’t just get the train?

It will take you so much longer driving at that speed and make you more tired. It's such and easy road to drive. I've done it many times. Just stick to the speed those around you are going. That will depend on how busy it is and the weather. I would say the trickiest part will be driving into Edinburgh depending on your final destination. The traffic will be busier but you will be going slower. There might be a bit of congestion getting over the bridge depending on the time of day. I guess what I am saying is that you should drive to the road conditions and don't deliberately go too slow.

I live in Edinburgh and I don’t think you should drive here today. It’s a long drive and then you end up having to drive around edinburgh which isn’t the easiest either. You must be doing a significant amount of the driving in the dark at this time of year which makes everything harder and it’s raining too.

Your posts do not sound like someone I want driving around me on little sleep and with this level of anxiety. If you want to work towards better driving then you should practice or try to find a driving instructor to help you, but this particular drive isn’t a good place to start.

😂

I have just checked trains on Trainline. There are seats available.

No. I tend to find that people who drive like this, will then still drive at 40mph through a 30mph village. Observe the speed limits unless adverse weather conditions dictate otherwise.

It's not just irritating other drivers, it's dangerous because for example if I come up a road at 55mph and you are tootling at 40 I will come up behind you and end up slamming brakes on.

I wouldn't say the A9 is an easy road to drive for someone scared of driving. The changing from single to dual carriageway and back repeatedly can confuse some drivers. There are long stretches where there is no chance to overtake then lots and lots of cars try to pass all at once when there is a chance to. Can be pretty hairy! It's also very busy and full of lorries. Cars often have long waits at junctions so end up pulling out in front of you when there's not really a suitable gap. You really need to keep your qits about you. At least the weather isn't too bad at the moment but it can be awful on that road.

I haven't looked up the train but there are loads of flux buses with spaces today doing your journey

I failed a driving test for not keeping up with the speed of the road. I'd missed the speed limit change.

Someone being cautious in very wet, winding or icy conditions is very different to someone plodding along at 40 on a perfectly safe road. Of course we need to adjust our speed so its appropriate for the conditions but if you are unable to drive at 50 or 60 mph in normal safe conditions then maybe you need some more lessons. Why are you unable to do that?

If you're okay with causing long tailbacks of traffic on the A9, while holding everyone else up for miles, go ahead.

Well, my DSis was once stopped by the police for driving too slowly!
Personally, I think it depends on the road conditions.

It depends. If it’s a winding country road, that’s fine. We have lots of those where I live that are 60s, but if you drive at over 45 in most parts of them, it would be extremely dangerous. If it’s a main road with plenty of space and without lots of bends, no, not fine.

I regularly drive along a road where the speed limit goes from 40 to 60 then down to 30. The 60 stretch is for a very short distance and the 30 sign starts at a village and is only visible having gone round a bend in the road. Good planning, and well known as a speed trap locally! I don't do 60 because it's really a hard brake to get to 30 in time. I also have to turn a sharp left as soon as I get past the 30 sign. So, I stick to 40.
I would still drive at 60ish if conditions permitted on other roads.
So, I would say don't drive too slowly, don't annoy other drivers but think of the conditions.

I’ve driven the road before, there are quite a few crashes but crashes are not always down to going 60mph.

As other pp have said, driving too slow can also be as bad as driving too fast. My concern would be angry drivers behind you then trying to pass quickly.

Driving new roads can be nerve wracking, I don’t always enjoy driving new roads but it’s such a great achievement when you do it, you’ll feel proud of yourself and be able to challenge yourself to go new places.

Ember buses are good, you can book anytime up to 15 minutes before your journey.
I would recommend taking public transport.

Probably because close to 100% of car journeys have some part of their trip within 5 miles of home, and a much lower percentage encompass 100 miles from home. So there are likely to be more crashes closer to home as there are more car journeys closer to home.

Depends on the road. There's a road near my house which is 60 but is windy and you'd be stupid to take those bends at 60. Most people automatically drive way under.

I think it's a bit weird to decide in advance what to drive it at. If it's long and straight and single carriageway if I'd think YABU.

Part of the Advanced Driving Test is to drive to the speed limit on a 'difficult' road - it was the part I least liked! However, it reinforces the point that one should be able (and prepared) to drive to the limit.