Minimum Speed

[zanev]

I'd like to know what is the legal lowest speed one can travil on the freeway. The DMV says:


http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22400.htm
Minimum Speed Law
22400. (a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.

No person shall bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a highway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

(b) Whenever the Department of Transportation determines on the basis of an engineering and traffic survey that slow speeds on any part of a state highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the department may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle, except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law, when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected along the part of the highway for which a minimum speed limit is established.

Subdivision (b) of this section shall apply only to vehicles subject to registration.


While it mentions not to impede traffic it does not state at what speed you must be above. Can anyone clarify?

[PapaBear]

Trucks are restricted to 55 MPH, as are vehicles towing trailers, and they are restricted to driving in the right hand lanes. If you are driving at less than 50 MPH you could very will be restricting the normal flow of traffic. If you desire to drive at a lower speed, I would suggest a parallel surface street of major design.

Besides, why would you want to drive slower? If it is because speeds are too fast on the freeway, then what I stated above would better serve your needs.

[zanev]

Trucks are restricted to 55 MPH, as are vehicles towing trailers, and they are restricted to driving in the right hand lanes. If you are driving at less than 50 MPH you could very will be restricting the normal flow of traffic. If you desire to drive at a lower speed, I would suggest a parallel surface street of major design.

Besides, why would you want to drive slower? If it is because speeds are too fast on the freeway, then what I stated above would better serve your needs.

It has been proven that driving below 60 saves you gas. I normally go 65-70 when I drive but always wondered how slow one can go with out getting a ticket. And I read this article: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/I-Cant-Drive-65.html?yhp=1 last week.

[BoySergeant]

An officer must be able to articulate why the speed you were traveling was blocking or impeding normal flow. The traffic, weather, surface width of the roadway, speed of other motorists, visibility, etc... are just some of the things to consider when talking about impeding or blocking traffic. How many cars were forced to change lanes and pass? How long were you traveling at the speed? Are you traveling in the #1 lane or in one of the designated commercial vehicle lanes that generally travel slower to begin with as Papabear suggested?

Unlike some states, even though California has 22400(b) on the books, I haven't seen any minimum speed signs. Has anyone else?

This is something that can't be quantified since the speed you are traveling depends upon so many other factors. No one can say, "At 50 you're getting a ticket." If they did, I've be very suspicious.

Remember, you don't want to be a hazard to other motorists on the roadway. It isn't worth saving a few miles per gallon of gasoline if you're not doing it safely. Do what you can to avoid causing a collision.

[AyatollahGondola]

Unlike some states, even though California has 22400(b) on the books, I haven't seen any minimum speed signs. Has anyone else?

I thought I remembered some from around 25 or 30 years ago, but not lately

[x MAIT]

Let's say that it is so foggy that you can hardly see the lines in the roadway. In this case, the safe speed could be 10 mph or less. Basically, it depends on conditions, etc.

If you do not want to drive at the posted limit, or close to it, then you need to drive on the surface streets. It does not do you any good to have conserved fuel by driving slow only to have it sprayed all over you and your car and then ignite when you are rearended by a vehicle going the speed limit. Depending on conditions, other drivers are not always able to determine that a vehicle is going at an unusually slow speed until it is too late for them to avoid colliding with it. An extremely long straight stretch of flat roadway, for example. There are no contrasting hills or curves to allow another driver to realize there is a slow moving or stopped vehicle in the roadway.

I have only seen minimum speed limit signs posted on freeways in other states.

[PapaBear]

BTW, zanev, you may think that freeways are built and vehicles drive upon them; but, there is more to the design of a freeway than meets the eye. And, for that reason, you should not take it upon your self to reduce your speed to an unsafe progression. Here are some examples of data that are used in the building and designing of all roadway.

http://managed-lanes.tamu.edu/products/guidance/guidance-design.stm

Also, along with CA Vehicle Code section 22400(a) you should read the following:

Slow-Moving Vehicles

21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section.

(c) The Department of Transportation, with respect to state highways, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may place and maintain upon highways official signs directing slow-moving traffic to use the right-hand traffic lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.

Amended Ch. 545, Stats. 1974. Effective January 1, 1975.

Designated Lanes for Certain Vehicles

21655. (a) Whenever the Department of Transportation or local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions determines upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the designation of a specific lane or lanes for the travel of vehicles required to travel at reduced speeds would facilitate the safe and orderly movement of traffic, the department or local authority may designate a specific lane or lanes for the travel of vehicles which are subject to the provisions of Section 22406 and shall erect signs at reasonable intervals giving notice thereof.

(b) Any trailer bus, except as provided in Section 21655.5, and any vehicle subject to the provisions of Section 22406 shall be driven in the lane or lanes designated pursuant to subdivision (a) whenever signs have been erected giving notice of that designation. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when a specific lane or lanes have not been so designated, any of those vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right edge or curb. If, however, a specific lane or lanes have not been designated on a divided highway having four or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, any of those vehicles may also be driven in the lane to the immediate left of that right-hand lane, unless otherwise prohibited under this code. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, the driver shall use either the designated lane, the lane to the immediate left of the right-hand lane, or the right-hand lane for traffic as permitted under this code.

This subdivision does not apply to a driver who is preparing for a left- or right-hand turn or who is entering into or exiting from a highway or to a driver who must necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his or her intended route.

Amended Ch. 843, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.

It is commendable that you are thinking of fuel conservation, but the big picture must be visualised to see who else may be impacted by your actions.

[Vinnie]

Aww c'mon- where's your sense of adventure? If you want to save gas, just tailgate a big rig! It's perfectly safe, especially when you can't see anything around the thing. At least you won't feel like you have to worry about your speed, you can just blame the truck.

Perfect sense... yeah...

[zanev]

Aww c'mon- where's your sense of adventure? If you want to save gas, just tailgate a big rig! It's perfectly safe, especially when you can't see anything around the thing. At least you won't feel like you have to worry about your speed, you can just blame the truck.

Perfect sense... yeah...

Honestly, since I like to drive 60mph I just follow behind big rigs anyway (not tail gate though).

[PapaBear]

Honestly, since I like to drive 60mph I just follow behind big rigs anyway (not tail gate though).

Oops! Caught ya! Big rigs don't run that slow on a freeway... :razz:

[Bradley]

I haven't seen any minimum speed signs. Has anyone else?

Interesting that you mention this .... I have not seen any in CA, but I was in Colorado this past weekend, and noticed several of these signs. 70 Max/50 Min. People drive FAST there, and there were CO State Patrol motors EVERYWHERE.

[cjincognito]

Interesting that you mention this .... I have not seen any in CA, but I was in Colorado this past weekend, and noticed several of these signs. 70 Max/50 Min. People drive FAST there, and there were CO State Patrol motors EVERYWHERE.

Something I liked about Colorado was the daytime speed limit of 65 and at night it changes to 45! And... they enforce it.

[zanev]

I read someone is trying to get the national speed limit of 65 back (making the speed limit 65 no matter what state your in). Living in Southern California I think if everyone went 65 it would be a mad house.

[CivvieInNY]

FWIW, here in New York, most "limited access roads," i.e., expressway (or what you guys would call a freeway), the minimum speed is 40 mph. And it's posted as such.

There are very good reasons for this as well. Last year we had a terrible tragedy on one. A woman and her child got a flat tire. They pulled off the side of the road and called the husband to come down and get them. For whatever reason, instead of fixing the tire on the side of the road, or calling a wrecker, they decided it was late at night and they could drive it a few exits home. Unfortunately, they were on a bend and a vehicle didn't see them and/or have time to react and a severe rear-end collision occurred. Both mother and 4 year old daughter were killed. It was estimated by AIS they were traveling at approximately 25 mph.

[chphereicome]

Oops! Caught ya! Big rigs don't run that slow on a freeway... :razz:


:lol: Good one PapaBear!!

[gabriel]

Trucks are restricted to 55 MPH, as are vehicles towing trailers, and they are restricted to driving in the right hand lanes. If you are driving at less than 50 MPH you could very will be restricting the normal flow of traffic. If you desire to drive at a lower speed, I would suggest a parallel surface street of major design.

Besides, why would you want to drive slower? If it is because speeds are too fast on the freeway, then what I stated above would better serve your needs.

What happens when you're a truck driver and you don't stay on the right hand lanes, You ask?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC2b6dyYk5o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC2b6dyYk5o)

[Mac]

FWIW, here in New York, most "limited access roads," i.e., expressway (or what you guys would call a freeway), the minimum speed is 40 mph. And it's posted as such.

There are very good reasons for this as well...
The problem with posted minimum speeds (IMO) is that there are plenty of people who will not inject common sense into their decisions, and will drive that speed regardless of conditions. If the roadway is iced over and there is fog so thick they can't see three feet beyond their front bumper, they will faithfully drive >40 mph, because that's the minimum posted speed.

It's too predictable. I've stopped/cited people who passed me on the freeway at 55-60 mph in fog so thick that the absolute maximum safe speed was 25-30 mph. Invariably, they argue that they shouldn't be cited because "the speed limit is 65!"

[CivvieInNY]

I see your point, Mac.

However, the NYS VTL says:

§1181. Minimum speed regulations.

(b) Whenever a minimum speed limit has been established as authorized in sections sixteen hundred twenty or sixteen hundred forty-two, no person shall drive at a speed less than such minimum speed limit except when entering upon or preparing to exit from the highway upon which such a minimum speed limit has been established, when preparing to stop, or when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.


It's too predictable. I've stopped/cited people who passed me on the freeway at 55-60 mph in fog so thick that the absolute maximum safe speed was 25-30 mph. Invariably, they argue that they shouldn't be cited because "the speed limit is 65!"

Here that'd be written under §1180(a) Speed Not Reasonable and Prudent: No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.

Clearly judgment comes into play here, both of the P.O. and the motorist.