Did you know that you could be given a traffic ticket for driving too slowly? In Florida, speed limits vary between around 30 miles per hour up to 70 mph throughout the state. If you go too far above the speed limit, you could face a speeding ticket. If you go too slowly, you could be cited for obstructing traffic or driving dangerously.
You’re most likely to face a citation for driving too slowly on an interstate in Florida. There, the speed limit is usually 70 mph. If you drive 50 mph or slower on an interstate, then you could face a traffic ticket for doing so.
Why are there minimum speed limits?
Minimum speed limits are designed to make sure that no one is slowing down the flow of traffic. Keeping all vehicles moving at the same speeds, or at least close to it, actually reduces the likelihood of a collision.
In Florida, there is a minimum speed limit on all of the state’s highways. On those that belong to the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and that have at least four lanes, the current minimum speed is 40 mph. There are exceptions, such as when the posted speed limit is 70 mph. In those cases, the minimum is increased to 50 mph.
Is it a criminal violation to drive too slowly?
No. This is a noncriminal traffic infraction. This is punishable, however, as a normal moving violation. That means that you could still face points on your license, increased insurance costs, fines and other penalties as a result of moving too slowly on the road.
What kinds of defenses are there for driving too slowly?
If you are accused of not meeting the minimum speed limits, you could have a solid defense. It’s possible to defend yourself by showing that the speed at which you were traveling was as fast as you could go safely. For instance, if there was a severe storm or traffic was moving strangely due to a previous collision, then going slower than the minimum speed may have been necessary at the time. This is something to discuss with your attorney if you face a ticket.
