While I’d hope we’re all familiar with the concept of speed limits, today I’d like to introduce what is apparently a new concept to everyone. Minimum speeds.
<rant>
Introducing 47 OK Stat ยงย 47-11-804 (2019) Minimum speed regulation. Particularly important to this rant is the following:
(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Now, let’s consider a road with a speed limit of say, 35 miles per hour. On this road the only traffic in front of you is either in the other lane, or waiting to turn onto this road from a parking lot. Which of the following is the correct course of action:
- Stop and let the person turning turn onto the road
- Slow down to 10 miles per hour and stay at that speed through the next 2 intersections, while there’s still no traffic in front of you
- Continue driving at approximately 35 MPH
If you selected 3 - congratulations! You probably equally share my frustration at my attempts to drive home last night! If you selected the other options, I welcome you to explain to me how stopping while you have the right of way (or going 25 under the limit) and while there’s nobody doing anything idiotic in front of you does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
</rant>