Most drivers have gotten a ticket for exceeding the speed limit, but did you know you can also get one for going too slow? It does depend on where you live. In the three states with Craig Swapp & Associates offices, the following are the laws about driving too slowly:

Utah: Drivers may not drive a vehicle at a speed so slow as to impede or block the normal movement of traffic. Another law passed in 2008 requires slow drivers to move out of the far left lane.

Idaho: It is against the law to travel “at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic”. It is also required for slow-moving vehicles to move out of the far left lane.

Washington: It is against the law to travel so slow that it impedes the normal flow of traffic. Drivers may only drive in the far left lane on multi-lane roads if they are going faster than the flow of traffic.

While there in the majority of states there isn’t a hard MPH number to determine when a driver is going too slow, police and highway patrol can and will give tickets to drivers who are impeding the flow of traffic or are clogging traffic by going slowly in the far left lane.

The Dangers of Driving Slow

Aside from slowing down traffic and making it harder for other drivers to get anywhere, driving slowly comes with other dangers. When a driver is going below the normal speed of traffic it can be hard for other drivers to adjust suddenly, often resulting in the slow driver being rear-ended.

Road rage is another issue. Slow drivers may annoy other drivers, and while it’s no excuse to drive aggressively, road rage may occur. According to the National Highway and Transit Safety Administration, aggressive driving plays a part in nearly half of all fatal accidents.

Slow Drivers

While anyone can be guilty of driving slowly once in a while, the following groups may have a higher tendency to do so:

Distracted Drivers – Cell phones are the biggest culprits and while going slowly may not be the most dangerous aspect of distracted driving, distracted drivers may drive slower and cause issues on the road.

Tourists– People from out of town are uncomfortable driving on new roads and may be guilty of slowing down to sightsee.

New Drivers – While young drivers may be prone to speeding, brand new drivers are initially uncertain and may drive slowly.

Senior Drivers – Older drivers often drive at decreased speeds in order to compensate for slower reaction times.

Injured in an Accident Caused by a Slow Driver

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident caused by the negligence of a slow driver, you deserve fair and full compensation for the injuries and other damages you’ve suffered. Give the experienced car accident attorneys of Craig Swapp & Associates a call today at 1-800-404-9000 or fill out the online form at the bottom of this page.

Written By: Ryan Swapp     Legal Review By: Craig Swapp