If you don't drive at the speed limit why not?

**Astrid** · May 17th, 2012, 08:07 PM

Not sure whether this is just localise trait, but down my way there is a tendency for drivers to just choose their own speed limit. Either they speed or drive 10-15kph under. After getting stuck behind someone doing 85 in the 100 zone, then 60 in the next 100 zone (a dodgy that most people do 80), then 40 in the 60 zone, I really wondered what was going on with this driver?

I understand about road conditions, weather etc there are a number of road around here where you would be mad to actually drive at 100.
I understand driving at 95kph as it is generally the most fuel efficient speed.
I understand the tractors and other farm equipment.

But to be honest, I can't understand the average driver, in the average car.

So if you regularly drive below the speed limit, or know of someone who does, can you explain why? I really do want to understand in the hope that it keeps me a bit calmer on the road

**nothing2lose** · May 17th, 2012, 08:12 PM

I tend to drive a little bit under if it is a high speed

The reason isnt a good one - I am just used to driving in the city where it's usually 80km at the absolute most. I am also a granny when driving. Sorry

I spend my time wondering why everyone seems to drive 10-15km over the limit

**Astrid** · May 17th, 2012, 08:16 PM

No worries N2l. That would explain why the tourists are often quite slow, I always put it down to not knowing the road, but chances are it is a combo of both. (I did live in the city, but rarely drove, plus DH was/is a lead foot)

It is really dangerous combo down here, slow tourists and locals who know the roads so speed. I am the weirdo that drives at the limit

**nothing2lose** · May 17th, 2012, 08:18 PM

I promise not to drive near your house

**Astrid** · May 17th, 2012, 08:20 PM

I promise not to drive near your house

That is just a poor excuse not to visit

**nothing2lose** · May 17th, 2012, 08:22 PM

you could always chaffeur me...Driving Miss Daisy style

**Floweryfields** · May 17th, 2012, 08:23 PM

I don't drive below the speed limit as I feel excesively low speed (so even 10km under) is more dangerous than speeding as it frustrates other drivers so much, especially on single lane roads where it's difficult to pass. That's when accidents happen, when someone doing 90 in a 100 zone has a line of 5 behind them trying to pass.
I really dislike being a passenger with slow drivers especially on long trips as it takes so much longer to get somewhere.

**Astrid** · May 17th, 2012, 08:28 PM

Very true ausgirl.

We get a few who decide to half pull of the road to let others by, the problem is it is often not safe to overtake. Also it is not their place to decide when it is safe for others to overtake or to overtake at all. If they are aware they are causing a back up, then they should find a safe spot and pull over properly.

I could have cried one day, they have just resurfaced the main road home. A slow driver chose to drive the whole distance half off the road, the left tyre sat on the edge of the new bitumen and just tore it all up as it was still so new and not built for a tyre to be on it constantly. We wait so long for decent road work to happen

**AngelPants** · May 17th, 2012, 08:33 PM

My FIL drives 10-15ks under the speed limit ALL the time. It drives me insane!! He does it cos its "safer".....

it does nothing when I explain you can cause just as bad a traffic hazard by driving too slow as speeding....

sent from my watzamajig so may not make sense....

**nothing2lose** · May 17th, 2012, 08:39 PM

As a slight aside, what's with those who cant slow to 40 in school zones????

**Floweryfields** · May 17th, 2012, 08:44 PM

Our local school zone is a highway - so lots of traffic and trucks. The lollipop people actually risk their lives on a daily basis! One told me that he had a truckie yell at him to get out of the way, trucks have right of way, his reply, not while I'm on duty mate!

**nothing2lose** · May 17th, 2012, 08:47 PM

Ausgirl, on my way to work I go through three school zones on hwys. It never fails to shock me how many drivers ignore them altogether.

**beansbeans!** · May 17th, 2012, 08:52 PM

Oh how I cannot stand those who insist upon doing 30 in the 50 area. Or the 50 in the 70 area. or 80 on the freeway. Its dangerous. pure and simple.

Here I put it down to how old the drivers are, slower reaction time, loss of sight, forgetfulness of where they are driving, passengers who cant stand going too fast etc.

No real good reason for going 10+kms below the speed limit anyhow.

**Astrid** · May 17th, 2012, 08:45 PM

Funnily enough I find often them to be the same people who do 50 in the 60 zone, but then continue to do 50 in the 40 zone.

**misty** · May 18th, 2012, 01:30 PM

Funnily enough I find often them to be the same people who do 50 in the 60 zone, but then continue to do 50 in the 40 zone.

ere are some con

GGgrrrrr. I LOATH people like that. There are a couple of constant offenders around where I live, who do 60-80km (and often not even a consistent speed) on a stretch of road that is 90kms. There is no where to overtake and they literally hold up the traffic for almost 1km. When they get to the overtaking lanes at the end of the stretch, they will then speed up to 90-100kms (It happens to turn into an 80km zone there) so that no one can overtake them unless they are going at least 20kms over the limit! It is crazy.

I also loath those people that race me off a red light, so they can be in front, but then slow down to 5km under the limit. I don't mind them driving just 5kms under, but seriously let me get in front first!

I am extremely careful of going the actual speed limit after I got a ticket going 9kms over ($163, that I couldn't really afford), and I often set cruise control, so many people cannot seem to drive a consistent speed. If you are going to go slow, fine, just make sure you are consistent. I prefer hoons to slow drivers, particularly inconsistent ones - because at least the hoons overtake me, and I don't have to deal with them anymore because they are gone.

**Marley&Me** · May 17th, 2012, 08:49 PM

Slow drivers cause accidents and road rage. I believe (not in everyone's case) that most slow drivers are people that are too scared to use the road like everyone else. They are the ones that have to break every time a car comes in the opposite direction. The ones that can't pass a truck when it's in the lane next to them. The ones that need to break 3 times just to turn at an intersection.
I have terrible road rage. Not because I am always speeding, but because I just have no patience for idiots who are too scared to just drive.