Pedal to the metal
Driving too slowly can prove fatal
It seems strange but true that people driving too slowly is fatally dangerous.
However, according to reports, it has led to the deaths of more than 1,400 people in the last decade.
Whilst speeding drivers are constantly highlighted as one of the biggest issues in road safety, it seems the opposite is a largely unrecognised problem.
Wrong speed
On average, slow and hesitant drivers lead twelve casualties a month.
According to a report in The Sun, it is an ongoing issue.
Last year — despite traffic below pre-pandemic levels — a motorcyclist was killed and another 28 road users seriously hurt in accidents police believed were triggered by hesitant drivers.
The data comes from Department of Transport figures .
These reveal another 105 people were less badly hurt last year in such incidents.
Red mist
According to reports, these incident often happen due to following driver frustrations.
When they are stuck behind a driver who is driving much slower than normally expected for a long period of time on a journey, the following motorist tries to overtake. This can often take place in dangerous places, where judgement is clouded by the circumstances. Th result is a collision with an oncoming vehicle head-on.
It has led to claims that slow drivers re effectively responsible for 18 deaths in the past ten years.
Other incidents arise when following vehicles tailgate and or are overwhelmed with a sense of road rage. These can too easily turn into serious incidents.
Look in the mirror
Going too slowly can be deemed careless driving and punished by a £100 fine and three penalty points.
In 2020, Derbyshire police stopped a slow Audi driver on the M1. The roads team tweeted: “Cruising in lane 3 of 4 between 40 and 50mph . . . forcing traffic to take evasive action.
“Perplexed look when explaining the concept of lane hogging.”
Poor observation is the number one cited cause of crashes on the UK’s roads. In many way, driving too slowly and not being responsibly aware of other motorists is all part of the same problem.
With modern vehicles becoming more comfortable, quieter, with increasing numbers of digital screens and full of driver aids to make the task of driving easier, concentration on that is going on outside vehicles and on the road around them is more easily lost.
Observation and understanding our responsibilities behind the wheel are essential to safer journeys and safer roads, whatever speed we are travelling.