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Slow drivers frustrate motorists and lead to accidents22 July 2011by Heather Ferrier Slow drivers are a common source of frustration to road users. Government data, collected by the DfT, has shown that 143 accidents each year can be attributed to slow moving 'Sunday drivers'.  In
a new survey of 2,000 car owners, commissioned by Confused.com and
conducted by One Poll, 60% reported becoming stressed and irritated by
slow drivers. Forty-five per cent 'risk overtaking' slow drivers with
many, the DfT data might suggest, accepting a greater level of risk in
so doing than they might normally accept when overtaking faster moving
vehicles, in order that they might get on with their journey at an
acceptable speed.The survey found that half of the respondents were in favour of use of 'slow speed camaras' whereby slow drivers would be fined for driving slower than a minimum designated speed limit. Currently, while a few sections of motorways operate a minimum speed limit, these tend not to be enforced. Thirty-seven per cent were in favour of imposing a minimum speed limit on all roads; 26% liked the idea of a 'slow lane'; 15% thought a dedicated time for slow drivers (i.e. not peak periods) made sense; while 5% even thought a warning displayed by offenders would help. When numerous options are presented to consumers in a survey, some respondents will agree with proposals on the basis that they seem like a good idea but this does not necessarily equate with them believing that these things should be put in place in practice if they will be costly or otherwise impractical and the above findings should be interpreted in that light. Gareth Kloet, Head of car insurance at Confused.com, commenting on the survey findings, argued that there was a case for use of slow speed cameras as it could "help reduce [the prevalence of] motorists putting themselves or others at risk". The survey, of course, demonstrated that only a half of drivers were in support of slow driving restrictions and it must be remembered that in snow, ice, even very heavy rain or, for example, where a driver is dazzled when travelling towards a low sun or it is misty or foggy, not to mention the effects of congestion or slow moving heavy loads ahead, that there are numerous reasons why slow drivng is often merited. Use of slow speed cameras, for these reasons, would be impractical if workable at all as there are so many genuine reasons for moving slowly any of which could be offered as an excuse by a driver caught going too slowly without just cause. Worse, some may feel obliged to drive more quickly than the local conditions at the time safely allow. If slow speed cameras were to be introduced, it would most logically be under the same arrangements as fast speed camaras - where two or more serious accidents have occured in the location due to slow driving. Even then, the 'false positives' due to the reasons laid out above would render them of questionable utility. Police are currently able to charge those that are driving too slowly. It seems likely that on the spot detection that includes discretion applied by traffic police will remain the best way to deal with hazardous slow drivers. There may be a case, however, to increase the number of motorways with a recommended minimum speed limit, which if enforced using police discretion, could reduce the numbers of accidents due to slow drivers. |
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