How Slow is Too Slow...

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 7milesout, Mar 19, 2021.

  1. 7milesout

    7milesout Bobtail Member

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    I've searched this way and that, thinking I'd find this subject. Maybe I'm a terrible searcher, but I did not find this question...

    The question is from you're perspective running up on another truck (not 4 wheelers). At what slow speed are you guys grinding your teeth and asking "why is he going so friggin slow?"

    Or is there really not a too slow speed? If the other driver is going slow enough, it makes it easy to blow on by him once you get out beside him. I personally don't have an issue with slow driving ... as long as Mr. SlowPoke doesn't speed up once he sees me coming.


    7milesout
     
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  3. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    As long as it's above the minimum speed. It's not too slow.
     
  4. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Idk but i used to infuriate every super trucker out there when i was running 55-60 going cross country... if someone is going slow i get into it and pass them
     
  5. SoulScream84

    SoulScream84 Road Train Member

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    Your question leaves too many variables to be answered. Weather, terrain, traffic conditions, and what lane they are in. 58-60 is what I ran at as a company driver with a governed truck, but I also stayed out of the passing lanes unless I wanted to step on it.
     
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Correct. If the truck is below the minimum speed limit, should have the emergency flashers on.
     
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  7. SoulScream84

    SoulScream84 Road Train Member

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    Unfortunately many areas do not have a minimum speed limit.

    Goodluck with that, guys don't even do it crawling up a grade anymore at 30 under the limit.
     
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  8. Frank Speak

    Frank Speak Road Train Member

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    If you’re holding me up, you’re going too slow.

    p.s. keep your carcass out of the center lane!
     
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  9. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    This can get into a large fresh can-o-worms.
    There are minimum speed laws in a lot of states. Some post it, others no. On most interstates it varies between a low of 40 up to 55.

    if you choose to operate your vehicle below posted speed limit, keep to the far right lane. Actually that is law. You could be cited.

    Weather and other conditions can and will affect things. That’s something everyone should understand.

    If a vehicle comes up behind, and moves to pass, hold your lane, hold or even drop your speed for a moment. Do Not Speed Up and match the speed of the passing vehicle. It has nothing to do with courtesy, it’s about safety, it really is safer to just let them by. Even if they are running over the posted limit.

    Speaking of safety. A study released back in 2007 by a combination of federal and private agency funding done by Virginia Tech, found that a CMV, operating at 15 mph below the posted limit was 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision. This matched a study done in the 70’s concerning the national 55 mph speed limit. The most famous line from that study.
    Speed is the number one cause of collisions.
    What they did not do is quote the rest of the story. That it is speed variations that cause the collision.
     
  10. Trucker61016

    Trucker61016 Road Train Member

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    To be fair maybe you're going too fast if you run up on people, and if its going through a town like Chicago or DC, sorry but that second right lane is where i keep it to avoid the merging traffic......
     
  11. slow.rider

    slow.rider Road Train Member

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    There''s no such thing as too slow, unless there isn't a passing lane, in which case anyone slower than me is too slow.
     
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