why do drivers drive slower then the speed limit?

Answer 1

the speed limit is the maxium speed allowed .

Answer 2

Because they're rather arrive late than not at all. The better question: Why do you think it's safe to drive the speed limit?

In some states, the posted speed limit is only advisory. If the sign says 40 MPH zone, you can be arrested for speeding if you're going 20 MPH, if it's too fast for conditions. When the speed limit was 60 MPH, a judge in NW Ohio would routinely dismiss speeding tickets for 80 MPH if the road was straight, the weather clear, and the traffic was light.

There's a second law in Ohio that says you have to be able to stop within the assured clear distance.

So take it easy. If the limit is 55 MPH and traffic is moving along steadily at 40 MPH, you're a menace to everyone else on the road if you're not going the same 40 MPH.

Answer 3

The speed limit is just that. The top limit at which you are legally allowed to drive. You are allowed to go slower then that. Some people just don't have to be in a hurry to get where they are going.
Another reason is the vehicle they are driving may not be capable of going the speed limit. I have a small RV and if I drive it over 60 mph it starts to overheat. It is an older model and when it came out the speed limit was lower.
If you think someone is going too slow, you can usually pass them. No harm, no foul.

Answer 4

The speed limit is not a mandate that we must drive exactly at that speed. It is a ceiling that we are not supposed to drive any faster than.

There are people on the highways who don't care if they live or die in the next 10 seconds, who have supreme confidence in their ability to deal with anything unexpected, perhaps because they have not yet been in their first few traffic accidents. These people drive like maniacs, when vieeed from the experience of older and wiser drivers.

As you get older, you will learn that all kinds of road conditions, traffic conditions, weather conditions, economic conditions are such that it is more prudent to drive at a safe speed that gets good gas mileage, than to be pushing close to the speed limit at all times.

There are times that it is safe to drive at or just under the speed limit. This is when traffic is light, road conditions excellent, weather dry & clear,

Do you trust your speedometer, or is it accurate to maybe within 5 mph? Then drive 5 mph below the speed limit when driving conditions support safety at high speed, so that you stay legal.

Answer 5

It is just that ...a speed LIMIT. The maximum speed for that particular area of roadway. If the conditions warrant it, slower speeds are appropriate. Sometimes people drive slower because they are carrying something delicate in the car (wedding cake, flowers etc.). There can be any number of reasons. Whatever the reason, if they are driving slower than the limit and you feel the need to go faster....Go around if you can do it safely.

Answer 6

I drive the speed limit especially in built up areas i dont want to be the cause of someone getting knocked over because i wanted to rush about with no consideration for the public.I wouldnt drive way under the speed limit as thats just stupid.I do drive over it when im on the motorway though but not like a maniac.

Answer 7

The speed limit is the permitted maximum speed not a compulsory minimum speed. Only an idiot would drive at the speed limit all the time regardless of conditions.

Answer 8

Some people drive under the speed limit because they don't feel confident at higher speeds. Also, driving slower decreases your fule consumption. i slowed down from doing 75-80 on the freeway to keeping my cruise control at 70 and have seen my mpg increase by 1.5, which adds up when you drive 350 miles a week.

Answer 9

Personally I think drivers who drive too slowly should get a ticket and points same as speeders, especially on the motorway, its downright bloody dangerous when you come across some idiot doing 40, you have to brake, which could spook the drivers behind and cause a pile up, lorries have to brake for them as well which isnt good if you have 40 tons of weight behind you, I dont agree with speeding in built up areas, as you never know whats going to happen, anything could run out in front of you, but going to slowly just makes others take risks they needent take if you just damn wll got on with it!

Answer 10

To give people something to moan about....

Why do people drive too slow?

the REAL question we should be asking is:

why don't people not understand that the speed limit is a LIMIT not a target ?

here is what the dictionary describes Limit as:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/limit

Hope this has cleared this up :)

Answer 11

Cause the car in front of them is driving slower then the speed limit. Therefore if they drove at the speed limit, they would crash into the car in front. I'm just a dumb blonde but even I know that.