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Why drivers will go slow, and why it’s dangerous

On Behalf of | Apr 15, 2020 | Car Accidents |

You were rear-ended on the freeway by a tailgating driver, and perhaps you suffered a whiplash or some other serious injury. Perhaps you have even been accused of breaking the law in California that prohibits drivers from traveling slow and impeding traffic. In that case, you should know just why slow drivers are considered such a safety hazard.

Slow drivers and aggressive drivers

By impeding traffic, slow drivers force others to pass them on the right. Unfortunately, slow drivers all too often turn others into aggressive drivers. These aggressive drivers will follow too closely to them, honk the horn obnoxiously and angrily pass them, sometimes without thinking so much about their surroundings. That’s when an accident is most likely to occur.

Experts say that drivers should remain patient and wait a minute behind the slow driver. If he or she fails to let them pass, drivers may flash the headlights, and if that has no effect either, they may then choose to tap the horn in a gentle way.

Different types of slow drivers

Drivers may travel slow for a number of reasons, which is important to remember as this can affect any claim that you might file. For example, many slow drivers are distracted drivers: in other words, clearly negligent. Phones, in particular, can impair drivers’ ability to make judgments based on what they see in front of them. In more scientific terms, the National Safety Council says that phones make the parietal lobe of the brain 37% less active.

Slow drivers may also be sightseers or newly licensed drivers who are unfamiliar with the area. Newly licensed drivers may understandably travel slow because of lack of confidence. Then there are seniors whose health conditions might prevent them from seeing speed limit signs or exerting more pressure on the gas pedal.

Legal representation in high-stakes cases

Your personal injury claim may be complex. It could be that the other driver was aggressive but that you were going excessively slow. You may want a lawyer to give your case personal attention and evaluate it in light of California’s comparative negligence rule.

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