Slow drivers rile up city motorists

IF ONE thing gets Toowoomba residents riled up, it’s talking about habits on our roads.

Whether it be a discussion on the correct way to indicate, how to use a roundabout or which city intersections to avoid nearly all motorists have an opinion that they are happy to share.

Chronicle reader Robert White sent in a letter saying “it is remarkable that anyone still argues that driving too slow is dangerous”.

Mr White said motorists could drive below the speed limit if they exercised “due care and consideration”.

“You won’t necessarily be charged if you drive below the speed limit, but you will be charged if you drive above the limit,” he said.

“This is why speed cameras book drivers over the limit and not those under it. The limit is exactly that - it’s not the minimum driving speed, it’s the maximum.”

The Chronicle asked its Facebook followers their thoughts and not everyone agreed.

Paul Dee Brown said: “If you can’t drive safely on the speed limit in clear conditions then quite frankly you shouldn’t be driving. There is no excuse for speeding. There is no excuse for driving too slow either.”

Brian Branch said: “Speed differential is dangerous. The speed limit is designed where any semi-competent driver should be capable of safely maintaining in normal conditions.”

Peta Smith said: “Drivers going too slow are the reason speed has been in focus in recent years... the frustration and rage it causes makes other drivers go faster to get around where they would otherwise maintain the speed limit.”

Jen Turner said: “Depends which lane you choose to drive slowly in. Way too many people feel it’s their right to drive under the limit in the right hand lane - that is dangerous.”

Caleb Chiverton said: “Yep more people cause problems by driving slow for sure . Not to mention the road rage it causes. Do the speed limit at least.”

Despite the many comments of frustration, “driving too slow” was not labelled as one of Toowoomba’s worst road habits in RACQ’s 2017 annual pet peeve survey.

Drivers who follow too closely or tailgate was the number on pet peeve, followed by motorists who incorrectly use indicators and motorists who increase their speed when you try to overtake them.