Slow Drivers

[JeffOlson]

Why do they do it?

Why do they drive slower than the posted speed?
Why do they speed up as soon as you go to pass them?
Why do they tailgate you after you have passed them?
Why do they drive slowly in the fast lane?

Are they upsetting the rest of the driving/riding public negligently or intentionally? In other words, are they merely stupid, or are they sociopaths?

When I am on my Norge rather than in my four-wheel drive sports car, I need to be much more careful following and passing slow drivers. Sometimes I think the slow drivers are upset when I pass them on my motorcycle, so I need to make sure I can speed away and keep my distance from them once I have passed them so they don't retaliate and run me over...

[oldbike54]

 Jeff , this has been discussed ad nauseum on WG , no one knows , some basic failing in humans maybe , dunno . I have witnessed this behavior in crowded areas of pedestrians also , like leaving a concert or sporting event .

  Dusty

[Wayne Orwig]

Some of them that I have talked to SAY, and many probably think to themselves, that they are saving the world by driving slowly.  Tell that to the people in the long line stacked up behind them waiting to get somewhere. Sorry, but when you stack cars up like that, you are asking for trouble.
Oddly, the same safety Nazis, run stop signs and red lights (on right). Where is you safety thinking now safety Nazi. It is like they can't press the gas pedal OR the brake pedal very hard.

The ones I have trouble with drive slow on the twisty mountain roads. So be it, that is what they are comfortable with. But then when you get to one of the few passing zones on those twisty roads, the moron speeds up!

Since Georgia passed a 'Slower traffic keep right' law, it actually has helped a little bit (not a lot). People are a tiny bit more aware that they are blocking traffic.

[unclepete]

Mostly 2 lane around here , with a few passing lanes . I know two of the slow-drivers , known them for many years .
One is about 70 years old , has several sixties trucks in immaculate condition ; newest vehicle is a early eighties Blazer . Drives 45 mph out on the highway , does not matter if limit is 55 or 65 . Was slow at work also . Task saturated .
The other is 68 years old , perfectly normal in every regard except he drives about 50 out on the highway . Saving gas . Knows what he's doing and is totally remorseless . His wife brings a book so she doesn't have to see all those one finger waves from passing motorists .
So if I'm motoring along and catch up to a line of cars it's often one of these guys , unless it's a summer weekend , then it can be the HOG group having an outing .

[Sasquatch Jim]

 They are too in-attentive to be driving.  When you pass them the speed up to pace you since it takes less attention
 to let someone else set a pace.  It is a stupid practice because they will now just rear end you in a traffic event.

[redrider]

The NHSTA concluded driving below the posted limit is more dangerous than driving above it. 

[oldbike54]

 A friend who is in his late 30's and was a bit of a wild child in his younger days drives 55 MPH on open highways . This guy has an advanced degree in mathematics and is working on his PHD in physics , on top of that he is a good mechanic and carpenter , so not a bookworm only . He has done some serious calculations and claims that the increase in fuel mileage offsets the slightly increased travel time based on number of hours needed working to pay for fuel . Not sure he has recalculated now that gasoline is under 2 bucks a gallon . Of course he isn't a road hog or safety freak , he is simply going by the numbers .

  Dusty

[nunzio]

Why do they drive slower than the posted speed?


Does the sign say...... Speed LIMIT.

Look up the word  LIMIT   in the dictionary and that may clear up your question.

[JeffOlson]

Why do they drive slower than the posted speed?


Does the sign say...... Speed LIMIT.

Look up the word  LIMIT   in the dictionary and that may clear up your question.

No. The signs to which I am referring say "Speed," not " Speed Limit."

[oldbike54]

No. The signs to which I am referring say "Speed," not " Speed Limit."

 Are you sure ? I have never seen a sign that read "Speed" .

  Dusty

[nunzio]

No. The signs to which I am referring say "Speed," not " Speed Limit."

I don't ever remember ever seeing a sign on a public road the just had... Speed... on it .

But,I don't get out much 

[JeffOlson]

Oregon is different...

[oldbike54]

Oregon is different...

 Oh Oregon is different alright  Hmm , a quick search does turn up some Oregon signs that say only Speed , still don't think that implies doing 10 under the posted speed will get one a ticket .

  Dusty

[wavedog]

Oh man, this used to get me. In Washington state people drive at the speed limit minus five. Except thru the mountains then its even slower. Until there is a passing lane then they floor it so no one can pass. Infuriating. When I was younger I did a lot of stupid things trying to ride around those people. Thank goodness for fast motorcycles.

[Waltr]

Around here I get passed doing 10-15 over all the time.

[oldbike54]

Around here I get passed doing 10-15 over all the time.

 Normal in Oklahoma also .

  Dusty

[JeffOlson]

ORS 811.130(1): "A person commits the offense of impeding traffic if the person drives a motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles in a manner that impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of traffic."

See also ORS 811.315(1): "A person commits the offense of failure of a slow driver to drive on the right if the person is operating a vehicle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and the person fails to drive: (a) In the right-hand lane available for traffic; or (b) As close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway."

[PJPR01]

If they are older folks, their reactions aren't as good as they used to be...probably driving slower is better for them as it might take a few seconds to move from the gas to the brake pedal...just go around them and leave them behind.