A driving danger that is often cited for causing common car accidents like spin-outs and rear-ending is speeding. Cars that are driving too quickly can lose control on the road, or may not have enough time to brake before hitting the car in front of them. However, another less common but still dangerous condition is slow driving, especially in the left lane on the freeway, which is known as the fast lane. Drivers rely on the fast lane to get them to their destination quickly, and expect others in the lane to be driving at a certain speed limit. If a car is driving slowly in that lane, not only does it create unnecessary traffic, but a speeding car can turn the corner and easily hit the slowed car.
In South Carolina, lawmakers are now backing a proposed bill that would allow police officers to pull over drivers who are moving too slowly in the left lane of major roads.
The bill in the House of Representatives propose a fine of $200 for slow drivers, and two points to the driver’s license, which is the same penalty for speeding less than 10 mph over the speed limit. The Senate version, on the other hand, proposed a fine of $100.
Types of Slow Drivers
There may be a variety of reasons as to why certain drivers drive slowly, and as a driver who shares the road with them, it’s important to be aware of slower cars and understand why this may be the case.
Slow drivers often fall into one of the following categories:
- Distracted drivers, which are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road. 20% of car accident injuries in 2009 were linked to distracted driving. Distracted drivers may not brake in time before hitting the car in front of them, can drift over lanes, and may miss important signs and traffic signals.
- Tourists: These individuals are unfamiliar with the area or particular road and may not be able to understand important signage, often breaking laws or changing lanes at the last second to make their exit. Tourists also increase accident risk by looking around at the sights.
- Newly-licensed drivers: Those who have just received their licenses may be new to following certain traffic laws and are more likely to make driving mistakes.
- Elderly drivers: Older adults are known to drive more slowly and could potentially suffer from eyesight problems.
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With more than 100 years of combined experience in personal injury cases, including car accidents, you can trust our lawyers at Christian & Christian to protect your rights to compensation for your injuries. We’re helped countless individuals recover from their injuries through acquiring the compensation they need to pay their medical bills, property damages, and make up for lost wages. Though we’ve worked on virtually every kind of car accident case, we still give each case the personalized attention it deserves, because like individuals, each situation is different.
Contact Christian & Christian online, or call (864) 408-8883 if you’re suffering from injuries sustained in a car accident. Whether they’re minor or catastrophic, our car accident attorneys have worked on countless different cases and can look into yours.