Speeding and Road Safety
Speeding is often the main focus of road safety discussions. It remains the number one contributing factor to transport accidents. However, research shows that driving too slowly also creates hazards that should not be ignored.
The Solomon Curve
In the 1960s, traffic engineer David Solomon published the Solomon Curve, showing that crash risk rises when a driver’s speed differs too much from the average flow of traffic. Vehicles moving much faster—or much slower—than surrounding cars faced a higher chance of collision.
Supporting Research
In 1971, West and Dunn confirmed this finding. They discovered that cars traveling about 10 miles (16 kilometers) per hour below the average speed were up to six times more likely to crash. Slow driving disrupted traffic flow and forced other drivers to react with sudden lane changes, emergency braking, and risky overtaking. These reactions often caused rear-end collisions and even multi-vehicle pileups.
Why Slow Driving is Dangerous
The danger of slow driving lies in its unpredictability. It forces surrounding vehicles to adjust their behavior, often leading to unsafe maneuvers. Frequent lane changes, sudden stops, and driver frustration increase the risk of aggressive driving, making roads more dangerous for everyone. Extreme caution, while well-intentioned, does not always equal safety.
The Need for Balance
This does not mean speeding is safe. Speeding continues to be a leading cause of road fatalities worldwide. Instead, the message is about balance. Safe drivers adapt to road conditions and maintain a steady pace with surrounding vehicles, moving with traffic rather than against it.
