Is It Against The Law To Drive Below The Speed Limit?

[Zak51arc]

Recently, I was en route to a hospital appointment. I was driving at 45mph in a 50 limit. The police pulled me over, there was only the one. He gave me a dressing down, told me that I should be driving at the speed limit unless conditions didn’t allow it. He said he was a police sergeant. He said he was concerned about my ability to drive several times. I was concerned about his ability to be a police officer! He was very officious, demeaning and down right nasty. Fortunately, my husband was with me, therefore I had a witness. Truly shocking.

[Mamyalynne]

I think he was being a bit petty, you weren't that slow.

It can be hazardous but think he was having a bad day.

https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/motoring/cars/using/why-driving-too-slowly-is-dangerous

[tonyav]

Doesn't sound right to me being pulled for driving at 45 mph in a 50 mph zone. Was he in uniform ? and if he was did he have sergeant's stripes on his sleeves ?

[Zak51arc]

Mamyalynne
He wasn’t ‘petty ‘ he was down right nasty. Maybe he was having a bad day but his conduct was appalling.

[Zak51arc]

Tonya
Yes he was in uniform, I was so taken aback I didn’t notice if he had stripes. It happened two weeks ago and I still can’t believe it happened.

[tonyav]

Pity you didn't get his number ( the ones usually on their shoulders ) and reported him.

[Buenchico]

Driving at below the speed which other drivers might reasonably expect to be able to drive (but while still within the speed limit) displays a poor standard of driving, as it leads to an increased number of overtaking manoeuvres and a possible build up of aggression among other drivers. It's not a specific offence but it would definitely get you marked down on a driving test (for 'failure to make progress').

However if the police (and subsequently the CPS) could show that other drivers were inconvenienced by your slow driving, it might result in a successful prosecution for driving "without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road". [Section 3, Road Traffic Act 1988]

[Zak51arc]

Buenchico,
I wasn’t booked. I’m a careful driver. I actually had slowed down as I was coming to a roundabout. I have lodged a formal complaint. I asked him who his senior officer was. Unfortunately, I didn’t get his name but I gave a description of him to the officer that I reported it to. I’ve been driving for 50 years and never once caused an accident.

[Mamyalynne]

I worded that badly 'petty' referred to being just 5 miles under.

[Davemano]

I don't think that anyone could possibly be inconvenienced by someone who was doing 45mph in a 50mph area, and as for 'failing to make progress' where is this shown on an examiners list. It certainly wasn't on mine - unless it is something recent.

[lankeela]

There are some places where a minimum speed limit sign is in use such as going through tunnels where it could be hazardous for traffic to drive slowly if emergency vehicles needed access.

[Buenchico]

Section 20, Dave:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/659103/dl25-driving-test-report-form.pdf

[Davemano]

^^^^ I have just been corrected on this point, and agree 'progress' is included but apparently is only used when unnecessary low speed is causing problems.
BC - you are perfectly correct, but this is a point which I never considered using for driving at a reasonable speed within the limit.

[Buenchico]

The Blackwall Tunnel minimum speed limit, Lankeela:
https://www.roads.org.uk/sites/default/files/articles/to-the-limit/minimum10.jpg

They're far more common (and often a lot higher) abroad though, as in Portugal:
https://www.cargonews.lt/wp-content/uploads/news_thumbs/9904.jpg

[Old_Geezer]

Yeah, but that'd be in furriner lengths per hour.

[ummmm]

My BIL failed his driving test for going too slow.

[waterboatman]

Too slow can be a dangerous as too fast, depending on the circumstances.

[Deskdiary]

It may not be illegal, but it is damn annoying, more so on a road that is difficult to overtake or where there's unbroken double lines.

I can remember my driving instructor from 30 years ago telling me to always get up to the speed limit if conditions allowed.

You say you're a careful driver - I read that to mean timid, and driving below the allowable limit can cause frustration in more capable drivers meaning they may take an overtaking risk they would not otherwise have attempted.

The police officer was correct.

[waterboatman]

Well put.

[dannyk13]

Sounds a bit iffy to me. Just forget about it.Unless there was a minimum speed limit then you were driving properly.

[dannyk13]

Deskdiary, driving at 45 mph in a 50 mph limit is not driving timidly.