Slow drivers have killed 19 and injured 1,500 people over the last decade – with auto experts branding it ‘just as dangerous as speeding’

Crashes caused by slow drivers have killed 19 people and injured 1,500 in the past ten years.

Now the AA has warned: ‘Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding.’ 

Slow drivers trigger overtaking, leading to head-on crashes, plus tailgating, undertaking and road rage.

Department for Transport figures show that in the last ten years, 1,568 people were injured or killed in 1,090 road crashes where police put somebody driving too slowly as a contributory factor in the pile-up.

Eighteen of the crashes sparked by slow driving left 19 dead and another 281 smashes left 310 victims with severe, often life-changing, injuries.

Minimum speeds are rare on British roads but exist in some high-risk locations, such as tunnels.

Crashes caused by slow drivers have killed 19 people and injured 1,500 in the past ten years, the AA has warned (file pic)

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

James Ruppert, editor of Free Car Mag, said: ‘There is a problem that driving is regarded as a right, rather than a skill which, once earned, should be constantly reviewed.

‘If a driver does not feel confident on the road or has health issues which compromise their performance, there are choices: to retire from driving, get medical attention or possibly have training to improve their skills.’

In 2022 a driver in his 80s had his licence taken from him after he was caught by police driving at 10mph on a main A-road in Wiltshire.

The day after being stopped, the driver failed an eye test.

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

The force’s roads team tweeted: ‘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.’