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Certainly, there can be no argument that speeding is dangerous and the cause of thousands of accidents and deaths each year. But driving under the speed limit is equally as dangerous – and a topic not many people consider.
Unless a minimum speed is posted, highway driving has no fixed minimum speed. Sometimes, weather conditions dictate driving under the posted speed limit to ensure safety.
However, you can be cited for obstructing traffic if, indeed, you are impeding the safe forward progress of other vehicles on the roadways. Texas Transportation Code Section 545.363 provides:
“An operator may not drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”
Getting a ticket for driving too slowly is possible – particularly on the highways. If a driver is going fifteen miles below the speed limit in good driving conditions, then this might be considered to be impeding traffic and an offense.
The times that require a driver to slow their vehicle below-posted speed limits include the duty to “decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, or when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.”
Further, speed must be decreased as necessary to avoid a collision.
Speeding is widely acknowledged as a most common and dangerous driving habit. It is considered dangerous due to its significant contribution to fatal traffic accidents, accounting for approximately one-third of such incidents. However, it is essential to recognize that driving too slowly can also be hazardous and is seen as equally dangerous as speeding.
Speeding threatens road safety as it disrupts the established flow of traffic. By exceeding the prescribed speed limit, drivers create a disparity between their vehicle’s speed and that of other vehicles sharing the road. This discrepancy in velocities can lead to confusion and frustration among other drivers, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Moreover, speeding drivers often engage in distracted driving behaviors, compromising their ability to remain focused on the road and other vehicles. This distraction can impair their reaction time and judgment, elevating the risk of collisions. Additionally, some speeders may lack experience or be unfamiliar with road rules, making their actions even more unpredictable and jeopardizing the safety of all road users.
In summary, speeding is considered a dangerous driving habit due to its association with many fatal traffic accidents. It disrupts traffic flow, frustrates other drivers, and increases the risk of distraction and impaired judgment. These factors create an unsafe driving environment for everyone on the road.
One of the biggest factors for accidents is disparity of speed, and you can actually have a truck going so slow on the highway that it is a hazard to the motoring public. Or worse, an illegally parked semi-truck.
In all, it’s best just to use common sense. Slow down in nasty weather – otherwise, in good driving weather, stay at or near posted speed limits on busy highways and always slow down when necessary to avoid an accident.
You may also wish to consider your vehicle location relative to an 18-wheeler in that big trucks have known blind shots that cause many accidents. Also, it takes a commercial truck up to 1/3 longer to stop, so having a truck on your tail is to be avoided whenever possible. Add in adverse weather conditions, and crashes become more likely.
Related Resources:
Why We Need Federal Maximum Speed Limits for Trucks
Speed governors to be required for big rigs
Houston Speeding Truck Accident Attorney Near Me
Tire Failure and Semi Truck Accidents
