Drivers are always encouraged to maintain a safe speed and as well as abide by the speed limits that are set as a speeding driver can increase the chances of causing a major wreck. Did you know that speeding was a factor in 9,557 of the 35,092 traffic fatalities that were reported in 2015 [Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]? With that said, danger also lurks when drivers operate their vehicles at a slow pace too. If you aren’t sure why a slow driver would be considered unsafe, below we highlight some instances when driving too slow can actually be dangerous.
- Driving slowly in the left lane.
While many drivers consider the left lane to be the one that is designated for fast drivers, it is actually there for passing. However, most drivers don’t know this and will simply use it to travel at a fast rate of speed. So, between the drivers who are attempting to get around slower moving traffic to those who simply want to drive at a faster pace, this lane is definitely not one for someone who is traveling below the speed limit. Not only will it frustrate drivers, but it could potentially cause an accident as motorists are forced to swerve in and out of lanes to get around you or hit their brakes if they approach you from behind too quickly.
- You avoid using turnout areas.
If you are hauling a vehicle behind yours or towing something else, it is likely you are going to be traveling at a much slower rate of speed than the other drivers on the road. Now, when you find yourself traveling on a two-lane roadway where drivers are unable to pass, it can be especially frustrating for everyone and even dangerous when you don’t take advantage of the turnout areas that might be available. A turnout area gives you the opportunity to pull to the side to let the multiple cars trailing behind you pass and can help avoid from having an angry driver attempt to pull around you and risk getting hit by oncoming traffic in the opposite lane.
- You significantly reduce your speed when merging.
When you see that your lane is ending up ahead, you decide to slow down way before just so you can get over before you think it will be too late to do so. While it is okay to want to merge into the next available lane when you know yours will be dropping off, you don’t want to slow down to the point where it puts other drivers at risk of rear-ending you.
- Driving distracted
Distracted driving is by far one of the worst things you can do when operating a vehicle. Not only are you taking your eyes off the road, which puts you at risk of either hitting the vehicle in front of you, merging into another lane unexpectedly, or riding off the road, but when you engage in other behavior that deters your attention away from the road, you tend to slow down a bit which can affect the flow of traffic. And as you know, when you encounter that one slow driver hanging out in the middle of the highway, you are sometimes forced to maneuver around or slow abruptly which increases the chances of a causing a collision.
[Source: Esurance].
Now, although we have highlighted some instances where driving too slowly can become pose as a threat to you as well as those traveling around you, it doesn’t mean you should be speeding. Instead, you are urged to follow the speed limits and adjust your rate of speed to the conditions that are currently present. That means if traffic is slowing down, you should slow down too and if inclement weather is present, you drive cautiously and carefully to prevent from engaging in a wreck.
If you have been involved in a car accident with a careless or distracted driver in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids and you are looking to file a claim against this person for the injuries you sustained, contact the Cedar Rapids, IA auto accident lawyers at Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. today. We can help you better understand what your options are in terms of recovering compensation and provide you with the legal guidance you need so that you can recover the amount you are entitled to in a timely manner.
You can reach Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, P.L.C. at:
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: (319) 393-1020
Fax: (319) 393-4000
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