Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - MN man has liscense revoked for driving too slowly

RedDevil · 09-08-2013, 04:36 PM

Killing an animal by driving over it where that can be avoided is a crime over here.
Several years ago there was a discussion on this subject when one driver made an emergency stop for a family of ducks crossing the road, and the driver behind hit him and got wounded. Took the blame for driving too close and not paying attention.
It was made clear that the first driver did the right thing.

In 1986 I visited Finland. Endless straight 80 km/h roads through the forest. I saw a reindeer at respectable distance and slowed down to maybe 55. Suddenly close by a whole herd of them shot out of the forest and crossed right in front of me. I slammed the brakes and just missed them.

There's a string of parked cars along the road you are driving on. A tiny bicycle wheel sticks out just behind one of them...

There can be many reasons why someone decides the posted speed limit is not safe. Those can be real and valid, or just in the mind of the driver. I would think it is horrible to be forced by law to drive faster than you find safe. I should not need a lawyer to justify my assessment of a safe speed in any particular situation. That lower speed will not prevent anyone from reaching their destination.

Driving slow is not dangerous by itself; to the contrary. The danger comes from other road users not paying attention or overtaking when they should not. There can always be a valid reason why somebody is driving slow, driving into them is clearly wrong even if you have not spotted the reason why the other car drives slow. It would still be wrong if there is no real reason to drive slow.

I don't claim there is merit in being a nuisance to other road users. But when it comes to punishing that behaviour, be cautious. Why single out this wrong and leave others untouched?
I see drivers get mad at other drivers for the silliest of reasons and often try to get back at them in some way. How many accidents could be avoided if that behaviour would get more focus?

Imho the real problem is the ignorance and temper of many motorists.
My driving habits include choosing position on the road and adapting my speed in such a way as to prevent becoming a victim of those, usually at the cost of fuel economy.
That makes me feel sad.

09-08-2013, 04:36 PM	#64 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 3,999 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 54.08 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts	Killing an animal by driving over it where that can be avoided is a crime over here. Several years ago there was a discussion on this subject when one driver made an emergency stop for a family of ducks crossing the road, and the driver behind hit him and got wounded. Took the blame for driving too close and not paying attention. It was made clear that the first driver did the right thing. In 1986 I visited Finland. Endless straight 80 km/h roads through the forest. I saw a reindeer at respectable distance and slowed down to maybe 55. Suddenly close by a whole herd of them shot out of the forest and crossed right in front of me. I slammed the brakes and just missed them. There's a string of parked cars along the road you are driving on. A tiny bicycle wheel sticks out just behind one of them... There can be many reasons why someone decides the posted speed limit is not safe. Those can be real and valid, or just in the mind of the driver. I would think it is horrible to be forced by law to drive faster than you find safe. I should not need a lawyer to justify my assessment of a safe speed in any particular situation. That lower speed will not prevent anyone from reaching their destination. Driving slow is not dangerous by itself; to the contrary. The danger comes from other road users not paying attention or overtaking when they should not. There can always be a valid reason why somebody is driving slow, driving into them is clearly wrong even if you have not spotted the reason why the other car drives slow. It would still be wrong if there is no real reason to drive slow. I don't claim there is merit in being a nuisance to other road users. But when it comes to punishing that behaviour, be cautious. Why single out this wrong and leave others untouched? I see drivers get mad at other drivers for the silliest of reasons and often try to get back at them in some way. How many accidents could be avoided if that behaviour would get more focus? Imho the real problem is the ignorance and temper of many motorists. My driving habits include choosing position on the road and adapting my speed in such a way as to prevent becoming a victim of those, usually at the cost of fuel economy. That makes me feel sad. __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself. Last edited by RedDevil; 09-08-2013 at 04:42 PM..