Have you ever been driving behind a car that just refuses to hit the gas and go? A rolling road block of sorts. I have, and it can be frustrating. It’s alright to slow your speed due to weather or traffic conditions, but that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about going so unreasonably slow that it is dangerous for other drivers.
Yesterday an interstate driver drove so slowly that he caused a terrible accident. He was struck by a tractor trailer on Interstate 95 (I-95) in Fredericksburg, Virginia (VA). However, the driver is the one that has been charged with impeding the flow of traffic, reports Fredericksburg.com.
The tractor-trailer came upon the slow moving vehicle and crashed into the rear of it. Both vehicles ran off the right side of the roadway and struck the embankment and several trees causing a two-vehicle fiery crash.
Police estimate the motorist was driving about 40 to 45 mph on the interstate. The tractor trailer driver was not injured and is not charged. Thankfully all involved were wearing a seat belt and there was no loss of life although the driver and a passenger had minor injuries. There is no word yet why the driver was driving 20mph under the speed limit but the crash remains under investigation.
So can you really get a ticket for going to slow? Yes. The law reads:
§ 46.2-877. Minimum speed limits.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
The reason behind it is that it is simply too dangerous to drive too slowly in the high-speed lane or on the interstate. When drivers drive too slowly in high-speed lanes many dangerous situations can occur. First, it creates a long line of frustrated drivers behind the slow poke. This may cause some drivers to tailgate. Some drivers get so frustrated that they will quickly pull out of the lane to try to pass.
CA.