More than 1,000 injured or killed by drivers going too slowly in past decade

Two Cars Damaged In Road Traffic Accident
In the last 10 years 1,378 people have been killed or injured in 947 crashes where police put somebody driving too slow as a factor - iStockphoto

Almost 1,500 people have been injured or killed in the last 10 years in accidents triggered by people driving too slowly.

Slow drivers can cause behaviour such as tailgating, undertaking, congestion and road rage, which can then lead to much more serious traffic incidents.

Figures from the Department for Transport show that in the last 10 years 1,378 people have been killed or injured in 947 crashes where police put somebody driving too slow as a contributory factor to the crash.

Of these, 17 were fatal accidents with 18 people killed, while 232 left victims with severe, often life-changing, injuries.

In 2023, 24 people were seriously injured in collisions, including two lorry drivers and five motorcyclists, where police believed slow driving contributed to the crash.

The 18 road deaths logged against slow drivers in the last 10 years include five motorcyclists, two pedestrians, eight people in cars, with the remaining three in lorries or other vehicles.

Traffic jam
Frustration at slow drivers can cause tailgating, undertaking, congestion and road rage, potentially leading to more serious incidents - George Pachantouris/Moment RF

No fatalities were associated with people driving too slowly last year. However 96 people were reported as suffering minor injuries in accidents triggered by slow driving.

Often the incidents occur when a frustrated motorist attempts to overtake a slow-moving vehicle and then crashes head-on into another vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

Minimum speeds are rare on UK roads – but do exist in some high-risk locations such as tunnels.

According to Rule 169 of the Highway Code, motorists should not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if they are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle.

It tells drivers to frequently check their mirrors and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

Going too slowly on any road can lead to a motorist being penalised for careless driving, which normally carries a £100 fine and three penalty points.

In total last year there were 1,624 people killed in road traffic accidents, a 5 per cent drop on 2022’s figure of 1,711.

‘Unsafe behaviours’

Nicholas Mantel, head of motor insurance at Churchill, said: “It’s widely recognised that speeding is dangerous, but many drivers don’t realise that driving too slowly can also pose significant risks.

“Excessively slow driving can cause frustration and unsafe behaviours like tailgating, increasing the chances of accidents on the roads.

“While tailgating is an aggressive driving behaviour that should be avoided, slow drivers may inadvertently create unsafe situations by forcing others to follow too closely. Many drivers are also unaware of the safe braking distances required between vehicles.

“To help prevent accidents, it’s vital for drivers to be mindful of their surroundings and adjust their speed according to road conditions - whether that’s going faster or slower.”

He advised maintaining a two-second gap between a driver’s vehicle and the one ahead.

Failed an eye test

It comes after a driver in his 80s had his licence taken off him last year after he was caught driving at 10mph on a main A-road in Wiltshire. The day after being stopped, the driver failed an eye test.

In September 2020, Derbyshire police revealed they had fined the motorist behind the wheel of an Audi for driving too slowly on the M1.

The police force’s roads team wrote: “M1. Cruising in lane 3 of 4 between 40 and 50mph. Causing mayhem forcing traffic to take evasive action. Perplexed look when explaining the concept of lane hogging.

“Ticketed for driving without due care and attention, to hopefully receive awareness course.”