Drivers everywhere know they can be fined for speeding, but motorists can also be potentially fined for driving too slowly. Driving too far below the speed limit is an offence as it can be considered obstructing the path of other road users.
While you're more than likely to gain the ire of drivers behind you, remember that driving under the speed limit is legally fine, but driving excessively slowly can land you in a bit of hot water.
Simply driving a bit slower than the cars around you is fine, but according to the Australian Road Rules, a driver must not “unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver or a pedestrian”. For example, driving 20km/h in an 80km/h zone without a suitable reason could land you in trouble with police.
On a road with one lane in each direction, going 10-mph is legal, but can impede the flow of traffic. If it's safe to do so, drive closer to the max speed limit. If you're driving so slow that a line of more than five cars has queued behind you, it's best to pull over to the shoulder and allow the drivers to pass you.
Well, it turns out you can. While there are no specific rules in the Highway Code for driving below the speed limit, you can be arrested for "dangerous" or "careless and inconsiderate" driving. If a police officer deems your slow driving as one of those three verbs, you could be in trouble.
Traffic violations related to blocking or impeding traffic by not pulling over or driving fast enough. Although it's far more common to be ticketed for speeding, it's also possible to get a citation for driving too slowly. Generally, it's illegal to drive so slowly that you blook or impede the normal flow of traffic.
You will certainly fail your driving test if you are consistently over the speed limit, or if you fail to react to a new speed limit sign. You can also fail your test for speeding if you are under the speed limit, but you're unable to stop within the distance you see to be clear.
Driving too slowly
Not only is it annoying, but it can also be unsafe to drive too much below the speed limit—especially on the highway—because someone might have to merge in behind you and if they're moving at a much faster speed it could cause a collision. Keep your car safe–learn what those dashboard lights mean.
Highway speed limits can range from an urban low of 25 mph (40 km/h) to a rural high of 85 mph (137 km/h). Speed limits are typically posted in increments of five miles per hour (8 km/h). Some states have lower limits for trucks, some also have night and/or minimum speed limits.
The lowest maximum speed limit in the country is 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) in American Samoa.
Although there isn't an official minimum speed limit on most motorways, travelling too slowly can be considered dangerous and you might attract the attention of the police. In this case, you'd usually be let off with a verbal warning, but you could be prosecuted for careless driving.
What speed is considered too slow? Going under 40 miles an hour is generally considered driving too slowly.
Speed limit signs
Road signs are used throughout Victoria to advise and enforce. You must travel at or below the speed shown on speed limit signs.
The Queensland Road Rules (QRR) provide that a driver must not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver by driving too slowly. The penalty for this offence is $133.
What is the 'rule'? The 'rule' itself is quite straightforward: if the speed limit is (for example) 30mph, the rule states that you won't get a speeding ticket unless you are going 10% plus 2 mph faster than the limit.
They could be a new, inexperienced driver who isn't used to highway speeds yet. Someone who has issues with vision may try to drive more slowly so they don't accidentally collide with something. Elderly people may not be able to consistently hold down the gas pedal that keeps their car moving at an appropriate speed.
Make yourself visible to the slow driver by quickly flashing your lights at them from a safe distance to get their attention. If that does not work, you can use your car horn. A quick beep may get their attention. However, excessive honking and laying on the horn is not the way to remedy this situation.
Driving distracted
There are many different types of driving distractions, such as eating, daydreaming and texting, that can cause bad driving habits. Teen texting and driving is a major cause of accidents and fatal crashes but most teens don't see the danger.
AVOIDANCE TO SPEEDING CAN PREVENT PROBLEMS
Not only is going over the speed limit a possible detriment to the person who gets hit – but also to the driver. If the driver hits someone and they get injured they could be looking at not only a fine but also possible jail time.
Generally, magistrates will only consider imposing a ban if you've been caught driving a significant amount above the speed limit. So, according to the Band C fines in the table above: in a 30mph limit you'll need to be driving at more than 51mph, 66mph in a 40, 75mph in a 50, 85mph in a 60 and 100mph in a 70.
If you're caught speeding, no matter how much over the speed limit you are, you'll be served with penalty points, a fine and even potentially a disqualification.
When there is no stated speed restriction on the interstate, 55 mph is the safest driving speed on a rural highway. However, a safe speed on residential roads is between 10 and 25 mph. The fastest speed to drive is the posted speed limit.
“No motor vehicle shall be driven on a highway at such a slow rate of speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic thereon except when the slow rate of speed is necessary for safe operation having regard to all the circumstances.”
Middle lane hogging is classed as a traffic offence under 'careless driving' legislation—it's therefore illegal.