You could be handed a fine and penalty points for ‘careless driving’!
In the UK, motorists know that if they break the set speed limit in their car, are caught by the police or cameras, they can be punished for the offence.
But what a lot of drivers aren’t aware of is that you could also be prosecuted for driving too slowly – but why?
There might not be many minimum speed limits in place across the country; however, there are times when driving too slowly could be classed as dangerous.
Basically, driving too cautiously can be a hazard on the roads and could be recorded as ‘careless driving’ by a police officer if observed.
Driving too slowly could cause an accident
There’s a risk of an accident occurring when motorists drive too slowly, and it can also lead to increased congestion on the roads. Driving too slowly – for instance, in a tunnel – could be extremely dangerous and may result in a serious incident.
We’ve all seen it, a van plodding along slowly on the motorway but this is one of the worst places to drive too slowly as these roads are designed to allow motorists to travel from A to B safely via free-flowing, fast-moving lanes. Driving too slowly on a motorway could cause other drivers to slow down unnecessarily, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
Minimum speed limits
A minimum speed limit is indicated by a blue circular sign displaying the minimum speed in white. The end of the minimum speed limit is marked with the same sign but crossed through with a red diagonal line.
If caught driving too slowly, you might receive a verbal warning from a police officer. However, if the offence is more serious, you could be prosecuted for ‘careless driving’.
What are the penalties for driving too slow in the UK?
There are several penalties for ‘careless driving’, also known as ‘driving without due care and attention’, including a fine and penalty points. In more serious cases, you could even face an instant disqualification from driving.
A fine of up to £5,000 could be issued, as there is no fixed limit for the offence – though such a high fine is rare.
Between three and nine penalty points can also be imposed for ‘careless driving’ or ‘driving without due care and attention’.
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