In Australia, driving too slowly can be dangerous, leading to risks that may land you fines, penalties, and even loss of your driving privileges. Australian roadside enforcement may be abrasive, but the law’s primary focus, however, will be on the enforcement of speed limits in your jurisdiction. The law will also consider the safety risks that slow driving may pose.
Understanding Australia’s Slow Driving Laws
Drivers in Australia are, however, expected to drive at “safe and reasonable speeds”, to be determined by the driver at the time, as well as weather and road conditions. Each state has slight variations to slow driving laws, and even then, all jurisdictions agree that driving well below the speed limit without reason will attract unnecessary legal attention. All laws look to the value of reasonableness, and if the slow speed will impede the normal movement of traffic.
No reason traffic laws are being enforced is often the reason the driver is losing focus of the laws in place. For instance, a road user driving for an extended distance at 50 in a 100 open highway zone on those clear days will be expected to pay for an RV of traffic law 2 fine as well as reasonable careless driving.
Why Driving Too Slow Is Dangerous
- In a real sense, there are situations where driving slowly will pose reasonable safety risks.
- Just as in the case of driver confusion, predictable abrupt slow driving can change traffic activity in the road on the general road.
- Collision Risks: Vehicles that are traveling towards you are unlikely to realize you are moving at a slow pace. This can result in rear-end collisions.
- Impaired Reaction: Sudden variations in speed, or moving at a slow pace in zones where traffic is moving rapidly, can attract a driver’s distraction.
- All in all, slow driving is not only an inconvenience but also a risk to safety and predictability of traffic flow.
Legal Penalties
While moving slowly is legally dealt with in all Australian states under different legal frameworks, the common frameworks are “doing an obstruction to vehicle path” and “driving without due care.”
Some of the common penalties are:
- Depending on the legislation of the state, a fine of $100 to $300.
- Demerit points on your record that will endanger other road users.
- Warnings or court referral for repeat offenders.
- Incompetence, or some other issue can trigger the mandatory assessment of a person’s driving skills.
The situation of the slow driving issue lies with the officer that will deal with the case. They will establish whether the slow driving situation is due to traffic, road, or weather conditions.
When It Is Reasonable to Drive Slowly
The other situations that legally justify driving below a posted speed limit are:
- Bad weather conditions, like rain, fog or heavy winds.
- Roadwork in progress that has safety workers on site.
- When towing heavy loads or during a driving lesson.
- Following school or construction zone signs that instruct a driver to slow down.
In the above situations, drivers should stay in the left lane, so faster vehicles can pass on the right, and not become an obstruction.
Table: Quick Overview of Slow Driving Offence
| Factor | Possible Outcome |
|---|---|
| Driving well below speed limit without reason | Warning or fine |
| Causing traffic obstruction | Fine and demerit points |
| Repeated offences | Court summons or suspension |
How to Avoid Breaking Slow Driving Regulations
To achieve this, remain compliant and remain vigilant for your own safety and that of others:
- Keep to a constant and appropriate speed for the driving conditions.
- Keep to the left-hand lane of a multi-lane roadway, except to pass.
- Observe the rear view mirrors and see if vehicles are building up directly behind you.
- Over-cautious driving that causes a disruption in the vehicle flow is to be avoided.
Defensive driving doesn’t mean driving slowly. It means driving in a safe manner and at a speed that is appropriate to the flow of the surrounding vehicles.
Questions and Answers
1. In Australia, are you able to get a fine for driving under the speed limit?
Yes, if your slow driving is without a valid reason and if causes a traffic obstruction.
2. Is driving under the limit still considered illegal?
No, unless it causes a traffic obstruction, it is legal.
3. How do the police know if slow driving is unsafe?
Officers look at traffic conditions and see if the speed of the vehicle disrupts the normal flow of the other vehicles.
