Minimum Speed Requirement

[dnewton3]

Indiana has laws which are unknown by most. Slow vehicles are supposed to yield to overtaking traffic.

IC 9-21-5-7 states the following:
Sec. 7. (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle at a slow speed that impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law. A person who is driving:
(1) on a roadway that has not more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction; and
(2) at a slow speed so that three (3) or more other vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left around the vehicle;
shall give right-of-way to the other vehicles by pulling off to the right of the right lane at the earliest reasonable opportunity and allowing the blocked vehicles to pass. ...


Further, if you don't travel at the max limit in the left lane, you also are in violation of the law.
9-21-5-9 states:
Sec. 9. (a) A vehicle that travels at a speed less than the established maximum shall travel in the right lanes to provide for better flow of traffic on the interstate highways.
(b) This subsection applies to the operation of a vehicle:
(1) on a roadway that has two (2) or more lanes of traffic in each direction; and
(2) in the left most lane, other than a lane designated for high occupancy vehicles.
Except as provided in subsection (c), a person who knows, or should reasonably know, that another vehicle is overtaking from the rear the vehicle that the person is operating may not continue to operate the vehicle in the left most lane.


Pretty much any slower driver is supposed to get out of the way. And yet very few are aware of, or understand, the law and how it is to be applied.

 

[thastinger]

What would be the minimum speed required in an area where the speed limit is 40 miles per hour?

I believe lots of states have a rule where you are supposed to use your hazard flashers if you are driving 20MPH under the speed limit.

 

[repairman54]

I only say this because it will eventually happen to all of us, slowing down. When we are elderly, I don't think we have the same driving skills as before, but, we still want the convenience of driving our own car. I saw my dad go through it, and now my mom. And for whatever reason, I've seen more elderly women accept finding alternation transportation, than men. I know it will happen--I'm still going to want to drive beyond when I really should....

And exactly why I'm an advocate of driver skills testing over a certain age. I'm a 54 model myself so I can talk the talk. How many people my age never mind younger who do not have the necessary skills to be out on the road. We see it all the time, drivers who are a danger to themselves and others. I'll know my time, first time I put a pucker in the seat cushion because I was in La La land will do it for me. Gotta keep the blood pressure down LOL.
And I don't just drive cars either.

 

[AKhan87]

I agree on the driver skill testing but you would have to add so many laws or stipulations on how something like this would be written on paper, tested, and lastly enforced.

but, our current driving test to give people a driver license is a big JOKE.

There are so many younger drivers who don't follow the basics when driving, example: indicating lane changes, or LOOKING in their blind spots, I found the same issues with A LOT of "foreign" drivers too, and this all mostly in the last 5 years, I remember when I got my license, people were much better drivers, they showed intent, and were courteous.

A lot of new drivers drive like that south park episode where the lady takes a sharp turn and says "good luck everybody else"

 

[BrendanC]

if we are in the “city” you better do atleast the speed limit or i will find a way around you.

if we are on the highway, MOVE OVER, or i will come around you and change lanes infront of you with inches to spare while flipping you off and laying on my horn. no excuse to hold up traffic.

 

[rstcso]

I turn 65 in a couple of weeks. What I have noticed are two-fold. My situational awareness isn't as good as it used to be, so my actions have to be more intentional, so I've stepped up my game in this area. Also, my wife and I have worked from home since the start of Covid. Sometimes the car will sit in the garage for a week or two without being driven, and more often than not, my wife is picking up groceries or other shopping.

In aviation, remaining current and proficient are keys to safety. We take driving almost as an afterthought.

 

[buster]

I don't know but if you're in the left lane going slow, I hope you crash. The amount of disruption those fools create can be dangerous. Some people are in their own little world.

 

[ecotourist]

I only say this because it will eventually happen to all of us, slowing down. When we are elderly, I don't think we have the same driving skills as before, but, we still want the convenience of driving our own car. I saw my dad go through it, and now my mom. And for whatever reason, I've seen more elderly women accept finding alternation transportation, than men. I know it will happen--I'm still going to want to drive beyond when I really should....

One of my school friends failed his first driver's test at age 16 because he was too cautious and driving too slow. So it's not just the elderly.

In British Columbia there are driver's tests starting at age 80. One of the reasons for failing the test is driving too slow. If you've lost the skills to keep up with traffic, it's time to hang up the keys.

 

[ecotourist]

I have people on a regular basis pass me up when the light has already turned red, and 9 times out of 10, are at the red light waiting when I get there. Where's the logic in that?

If traffic has been piling up behind you, it could be that other drivers see this as a chance to get in front of you. That's perfectly logical in my opinion.

 

[Hermann]

obviously, I am confused as to the line of questioning, I would say a good 1/3 of the people already do this, not sure why but they do.

We are not in a hurry.

 

[Skippy722]

if we are in the “city” you better do atleast the speed limit or i will find a way around you.

if we are on the highway, MOVE OVER, or i will come around you and change lanes infront of you with inches to spare while flipping you off and laying on my horn. no excuse to hold up traffic.

I’m not saying it’s right or you should be doing it at all….. but I understand.

Out in corn country a 30mph limit means 45-50, 45 means 55, and 55 means 65. But 20 is 20. That one is strictly enforced.

 

[Nessism1]

I hate slow drivers. They block the road, inconveniencing other people.

A few weeks back, there was some old man driving 10-15mph under the speed limit, on a 35mph road. People were going crazy behind, doing stupid things themselves, to get around the idiot. I was tempted to call 911 and report the guy as a traffic hazard. It was that bad.

 

[edyvw]

I hate slow drivers. They block the road, inconveniencing other people.

A few weeks back, there was some old man driving 10-15mph under the speed limit, on a 35mph road. People were going crazy behind, doing stupid things themselves, to get around the idiot. I was tempted to call 911 and report the guy as a traffic hazard. It was that bad.

When I see someone driving 30 in 40, or 50 in 60, you can also observe other types of behavior. They are constantly on the brakes, they make some moves that indicate a lack of confidence, a lack of predictability.
I pass them pronto. Once I passed a lady who I think had left foot on the brake constantly. I parked my car, was answering email in the car, getting out, there she was parking next to me (at some grocery store). She told me: "You see, you came at the same time as me. No need to drive fast."
I said: "Lady, I did not pass you bcs. I was in a rush, but bcs. I was afraid driving behind you."
I left her puzzled.

 

[edyvw]

I don't know but if you're in the left lane going slow, I hope you crash. The amount of disruption those fools create can be dangerous. Some people are in their own little world.

Most of those people drive the same speed when they hit a construction site. They drive 65mph in 75mph zone. At a construction site, a 45 mph speed zone, they still drive 65. Absolutely no situational awareness, none.

 

[KEVINK0000]

Back in the days of my youf in NYC, spare change was used as an effective implement to signal to a slow driver to not block the normal flow of traffic. Very impactful flung out the sunroof or t-tops of your ride once you got in front of them. Or out the side window as you passed. A few coins for minor infractions, but a fistful for the real offenders. Not saying I would ever do that again, but it was common in my circle of degeneracy in those halcyon days. I am sure that this means of societal pressure and behavior modification did in fact have positive outcomes. Not that I’m saying we revisit it in these times. Much too dangerous now.

 

[Sumboodie]

I only say this because it will eventually happen to all of us, slowing down. When we are elderly, I don't think we have the same driving skills as before, but, we still want the convenience of driving our own car. I saw my dad go through it, and now my mom. And for whatever reason, I've seen more elderly women accept finding alternation transportation, than men. I know it will happen--I'm still going to want to drive beyond when I really should....

My 93 yr old great uncle still is driving and in his house that he's been at for 70+ years.

 

[Nessism1]

You would not believe how angry people get with me. What I do on a regular basis is pull over to the far right into the bike lane and let people go by if I can, but sometimes there's no bike lane and nowhere to go.

If you can't drive the speed limit, you shouldn't be driving anymore. Please talk to your family, and get some help.

 

[OilUzer]

In the biz world, you either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.
Lee Iacocca

It should apply to driving as well.
Other famous people have used that phrase but I recall his Chrysler commercials which I liked.

 

[IndyIan]

Call up your municipal representative, let them know the road is rough and the lights could be timed again. Or the speed limit needs to be posted lower.
If your suspension is good shape and everything is tight, hitting some good size bumps isn't going to hurt anything. As long as you are not hitting huge pot holes, or catching air, most cars can take some abuse.
I also do some light timing, and try not to actually stop if traffic is light. On a busy road though, sometimes you just got to blend in, as some people are clueless and/or narcissistic, and just avoiding the attention of folks like that is worth burning some gas and brakes...

 

[Cujet]

Automated cruise control, even when set at the ‘closest’ following distance is creating the situation where drivers see enough space to repeatedly cut in front. Which applies the brake lights automagically.

I watched a video of this recently, and the end result was traffic coming to a standstill about 40 cars back!