Can a Driver Be Charged For Driving Too Slow?
Driving Too Slowly Is May Result In a Ticket For Unnecessarily Impeding Traffic Flow and Creating a Dangerous Hazard.
Understanding the Charge of Driving Too Slowly Including the Applicable Penalties
It seems counterintuitive that driving too slowly may be unlawful, especially whereas stories of tragic accidents much more commonly involve incidents caused by excessive speed; however, similar to driving at an excessive rate of speed, driving unnecessarily slowly can also be dangerous. Accordingly, while defensive driving is always encouraged, driving unnecessarily slowly, and thereby becoming an unexpected obstacle to other traffic, or possibly frustrating other drivers so significantly as to cause others to act erratically, can pose significant danger.
Note: Please contact Paladin LLP by phone at: (289) 925-1572 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
The Law
Driving too slowly may be an offence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 which states:
132 (1) No motor vehicle shall be driven on a highway at such a slow rate of speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic thereon except when the slow rate of speed is necessary for safe operation having regard to all the circumstances.
In an Interesting civil law case, section 132 of the Highway Traffic Act was referenced as, among other things, an unlawful means element within Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association v. Boak, 2022 ONSC 1001, alleging tortious inference in economic relations relating to rolling roadblocks or blockades upon the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
Summary Comment
Like driving too fast, a driver who is driving too slowly also poses serious risks to other drivers whereas traffic that is moving at a normal and anticipated speed may be surprised by an unexpectedly slow moving vehicle resulting in the need for sudden braking or sudden swerving and thereby posing as a highly dangerous situation. Although driving too fast is much more common, the concern for driving too slow also exists.
NOTE: A significant volume of online searches for “lawyers close to me” or “top lawyer in” typically indicates a desire for prompt and effective legal assistance rather than a particular job title. In Ontario, licensed paralegals fall under the jurisdiction of the same Law Society that governs lawyers, permitting them to act on behalf of clients in specific litigation cases. Core to their function are advocacy, legal insight, and procedural expertise. Paladin LLP provides legal representation within its authorised mandate/scope, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and persuasive advocacy, all aimed at securing efficient and positive outcomes for clients.
