5 Why Driving Much Slower Than the Speed Limit Can Be Dangerous: What Drivers Need to Know When we think about dangerous driving, most people's first thought is speeding. It's true that excessive speed is a major contributor to crashes. But did you know that driving well below the speed limit can also be a significant risk, sometimes just as hazardous as driving too fast? The Research: What Does Science Really Say? The popular idea that "driving 10 mph slower than the traffic flow makes you six times more likely to cause an accident" comes from a famous traffic study in the U.S. by David Solomon in the 1950s and 1960s. Solomon's research tracked tens of thousands of crashes and found something unexpected: drivers most likely to crash were those driving much slower or much faster than everyone else. His results formed what is now called the Solomon Curve: crash risk is lowest for cars moving at about the same speed as other traffic, but increases sharply for those driving much slower or much faster. While the exact numbers vary by study and road conditions, the key takeaway has held up over time. Why Is Driving Too Slowly Dangerous? Creates Speed Differentials: When a vehicle travels much slower than other cars, faster drivers must brake, change lanes, or take sudden action to avoid a collision. This disrupts the flow and causes surprises - prime conditions for crashes. Encourages Risky Passing: Slow drivers often force others to change lanes or overtake, especially on highways, leading to dangerous manoeuvres. Visibility and Expectations: Other drivers expect traffic to be moving at a typical speed. When someone is going much slower, it gives less time to react, especially if visibility is poor. What About The “Six Times More Likely” Claim? While that specific number is often mentioned in media and online posts, it's a rough average from older U.S. data. The crucial point remains: driving at a very different speed from the flow - either fast OR slow - increases your risk. Good Driving School Advice: Keep With The Traffic Flow Safe driving is not just about following the speed limit, but also about flowing smoothly with surrounding traffic (without exceeding posted speed limits). Here are key tips: Don't Drive Too Slowly: Unless conditions require it (bad weather, congestion, emergencies), avoid driving significantly below the speed of other vehicles on the road. Avoid Disrupting Traffic: If you need to drive slowly for some reason, keep to the left or allow others to overtake safely. Stay Alert: Always adjust your speed for the road, weather, and traffic - but remember that unnecessary slow driving can create hazards. The Bottom Line Being a safe driver means more than just not speeding. It means matching your speed to the conditions - and the general flow of traffic - so that everyone can predict what's coming next. Drive smart, drive safe, and remember: major speed differences - whether fast or slow - are what put you and others at risk. (See Spotto advert page 6 & 7) 7 COMMUNITY CAROLS STUDIO PARK, OXENFORD Free Entry FRIDAY 5th DECEMBER Snow predicted to fall during the night! Bring a picnic and blanket * Local Singers * * Santa’s Elves * * Community Choir * *Special guest * Rudolf the Reindeer Smash Burger Society S Classic Ice Creams Ants & bugs not welcomed! S S S S S S S S Glowsticks Available to purchase
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