Why do people drive too slow?

Question

Ok, It's a country road, it's a sunny day, the roads are clear and the speed limit is 60mph.

Theres someone in front (usually a Nissan Micra) and it's going 37.5mph

The country road becomes a small village with a speed limit of 30mph, the Nissan Micra doesn't slow down it's still doing 37.5mph, we drive out of the village and the speed limit changes to 60mph, but the Micra is still doing 37.5mph !!!!!

What is wrong with these people, why do they neither speed up on a fast road, or slow down to go through a village, they seem to have their foot stuck exactly on the same place on the pedal like they have rigor mortis.

Then.... they have the arrogance to flash you when you overtake.

Answer 1

I assume you are not British (and you may correctly assume I read no further than your question) in any case the government has taxed fuel so much that it would possibly be cheaper to put blood in the tank!

Brits being what they are take it, they are brought up that way, good in war but useless when it comes to standing up to their rights at home. Having lived on the island for so long they are no longer certain of what they want and are becoming despised by the rest of Europe.

On one hand many English want to pull out of Europe but laugh at the idea of Scotland becoming independent!

Answer 2

As a driver you have a duty to except that other road users have differing ability's  and skill when driving. No driver is perfect and it is arrogant to expect otherwise.

Answer 3

What's most worrying, and what others don't seem to have picked up on, is the lack of change to speed going through the village speed limit.  That's usually an indication of car in gear, brain in neutral, and is an indication of someone trundling alone totally oblivious to the road or their surroundings.  You probably woke them up when you passed, that's why they flashed . . .

Answer 4

when the road is 60mph, i either drive at 45 or 70. if i am in hurry i will drive at 70. if not i stay at 40-45 and stay in left lane. Because I don't want to waste any petrol. I drive  BMW.

Answer 5

ALL speed limits are maximum limits therefore providing anyone is driving BELOW that limit they are not breaking the law.

The Highway code states that you must drive within the limits and be able to stop within the distance that you can see to be clear.

It therefore follows that your perceived 'slow driver' is observing that rule (Don't know why he/she is exceeding the speed limit in a 30 zone as you allege).

You are quite at liberty to overtake (safely), If your not happy, after all, if you overtake me in an unsafe manner, I'll be quite happy for you to find the police cars and leave me in peace.

Answer 6

Hmmmmmm  You got something against Micra's?  

I live in a small country village, i work 26 miles away and cannot get there by public transport. I do shifts, one of which has a 7am start. Frequently the A road (60mph limit) i go on will have a large white lorry owned by Rentokil Initial dawdling along at exactly 38mph. The trouble is that in the 26 miles there is only really 3 short stretches for safe passing. This truck also seems to like the middle of the road so you cannot see past him so you are stuck there - and late for work - all the way.  Dont know why he does that, at least with a Micra you can see over or past it.

I  DO appreciate what you say and mostly share your feelings but at the same time we have to appreciate that because a road has a 60mph limit there is no obligation on anyone to actually travel at 60mph. Personally I allways travel at a couple of mph UNDER the any limit for the simple reason that I cannot risk losing my licence under any circumstances - no licence, no job - and I wouldnt fancy a 2 mile walk to buy a loaf of bread or a pint of milk either.

Answer 7

I can't speak for others but with me it is because of the house brick that I use to save my right leg from getting cramp.

It is a sort of do-it-yourself cruise control.

Answer 8

JOEDIAMO, you have many ans. to your question & since you

are so direct in your question I will give you an  honest answer

I can bet you that you are from a city or a Town place so here I

go!. First if you check those people's licenes you will fiend that they have a perfect driving lic. next, you will fiend they never kill any body with there car or have any other oxcedent,

because they are not busy going no where but to the other stop sign or stop light!. so who are  assss? NOT  ME or those

good people so it must be YOU isn't it??.  You should always

You should always think befor you speak because your words

could come back bite you.

Answer 9

I couldnt agree more. Its as if theses people have one thumb in there mouth and one in there butt and there playing switch-em. If there gonna drive that slow they should have the courtesy to pull over and let the car behind them by.

  Some people actually enjoy driving and the people who do have more focus &concentration on doing so then some windbag putzing down the road. Why because when you enjoy something you put a little more dedication and focus into the little things. With some its a joy with others its just a means from getting from point A-B.

   I have no problems with slow drivers as long as they have the courtesy to move over.

Answer 10

it is to do with saving petrol, i see it most days now on he motorway and it drives me mad when the person is in the middle lane doing 60mph, and holding up traffic but they are trying to save their petrol.

Answer 11

save money and gas

by going slower and not stoping and accelerating as much

Answer 12

I totally aggree with you regarding the constant speed of some drivers - regardless of the speed limits, there is nothing more annoying than the driver with a complete inability to adjust their speed.

However, I have to disagree with your statement that speed has NO affect regarding accidents and that it is purely concentration.

If you search around and look at statistics, the country's most dangerous roads are the rural roads with national speed limit (60mph single carriageway)

You slightly miss the point of what the speed limit is - the answer is in the question: speed LIMIT

It is not the recommended speed, or the minimum speed, it is the speed LIMIT. Yes it is fun driving through country lanes, but you have to use a bit of intelligence - if you are driving at 60mph around a slight bend and you are concentrating like you say, then great, I'm sure you have full control of the car, but ask yourself a question:

Could I actually safely stop if there was a tractor and trailer pulling out at 2 mph just around the corner - or would I end up wrapping my car around a tree?

Once again, I totally agree with you regarding "one-speed joe" who poddles along regardless of whether the road is straight, bendy, clear weather, rain, day, night etc...but I think that your attitude regarding "what right has he got to hold me up" needs adjusting slightly.

We all need to be tolerant of each other.

Imagine you were in the town centre in a hurry to get to the post office before it shuts, there is an old couple walking slowly in front of you, do you walk right up close behind them, intimidating them, and tutting at them, and then, at the first opportunity barge past them?

No, of course not, so why do it in your car?!

Set off EARLIER!!! Don't leave things too late, and if you're stressed out - don't drive - chill out, pop into a cafe and have a coffee until you're calmed down.

Remember: It's better to be a few minutes late, than DEAD on time :)

Answer 13

Aliens - sent to test our patience.

It's a long trip to Alpha Centauri.