I do a lot of driving, and I mean a lot. Come March 2026 I will have had my car for 3 years and I currently have 79,000+ miles on it. I cover 3 different states for my job (Northwestern CT, Western MA, and VT), and that means a lot of miles and a ton of single lane roads.
Let Me Paint the Picture
The problem with single lane roads is the other drivers. You know the situation: you’re driving along, cruising towards your destination when all of a sudden you come up on a slowpoke, just plugging along to their cousin’s house with not a care in the world. Even worse: this slowpoke has a timid driver behind them that will not pass.
So, what do you do? Suck it up and try to suppress the impatience and rage to accept your fate and the impact that you will be late to your work meeting or appointment? Or do you risk a mass pass at mach speed? I tend to opt for the former, especially driving my work vehicle, but the agitation it gives me can’t be good for my health.
The Law is too Lenient
So, why aren’t cops pulling people over when they are going under the speed limit and clogging the roadways? I suppose the indication starts with the sign: Speed Limit. It isn’t too often that we see speed minimum signs, primarily it is on the interstate, with the minimum 20 MPH below the posted limit.
It may sound like I am already convincing myself of the opposite opinion this take is titled with, but let I’m not, so hear me out.
Why Slow Drivers are a Risk
Going slowly can be very risky, especially with how many ornery drivers are on the road. The sudden stops in a trail of tailgaters is a recipe for disaster, not to mention this type of road environment can be a road rage boiling point. Combine that with driver phone usage in traffic or when a slow-up occurs and we have accidents waiting to happen. There you go, three reasons slow drivers need to be regulated.
How Can This be Addressed?
In all seriousness, I have seen attempts at addressing this problem - they do exist out there. Rob and I were in Washington state last year visiting Olympic National Park, and they have pull off areas with signage specifically addressing drivers that have numerous cars behind them to pull off and let the drivers pass. Can we make this a national law?
On the subject of road rules, I do feel the rules of speeding should apply to slow drivers as well: fine them, suspend them, let them know they’ve done wrong! Slow drivers should also be charged with something I like to call “unintentional harassment.” Yes, I just made this up!
I did a quick search to find anything around this topic, and the results were minimal outside of the standard Reddit griping you’d expect to see.
Legal Clarity: Can You Get Pulled Over for Driving Too Slow? (This was the most helpful article, in my opinion.)
Is Driving Under the Speed Limit a Reason for Police to Pull You Over?
The Sun: I’m a Cop - Why I’d Pull You Over for Going Under the Speed Limit
I am DYING to know what you all think about slow drivers and the situation on the roads. Can you please share your thoughts? I really want to know if I am losing it with my point of view on this. Do you agree? Does this upset you?
Let me know in the comments and show a little love by clicking the heart.
I think this affects you more than someone like me (WFH) because you are on the road so much for work etc. but I can 100% see your POV and why it causes so much frustration!