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Why are slow drivers not being pinged?

30.11.11

The traffic police have an unenviable job: they have to deal with the general public, after all. And quotas. These would be easier to fill if they bothered pinging slow, inconsiderate drivers, specifically those who travel at rates way under the speed limit, with scant regard to the scores of vehicles they might be holding up.

These circumstances are complicated for law enforcement officers. They are used to dealing with quantitative issues, handing out infringement notices for those travelling at rates above what's permissible. Slow speeds are more of a qualitative thing: how slow is too slow? The reason few turtles ever seem to cop an infringement notice for dangerous driving is that according to the speeding mantra, faster is worse, and therefore the reverse must be true; slower is safer, yes? Well, no, not if slow drivers are trying the patience of scores of ordinary folk behind them.

Slow drivers who never bother to look in their rear-view mirrors are clearly the worst offenders. Next up are those who look and see a line of vehicles behind them but, for whatever reason, are unwilling to pull over and let them pass. Is this a case of imposing their concept of safety on others? Do they consider it would be unsafe to drive any faster in the circumstances, and therefore why should they pull over? Often, it would appear so. Often it would seem to be bloody-mindedness.

Source: Stuff.co.nz (blog)