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Driving Too Slowly Contrary to Section 132 of the Highway Traffic Act
Is It Possible to Get a Ticket For Driving Too Slowly?
It Is Actually Possible to Get a Traffic Ticket For Driving Too Slowly Whereas Doing So Is An Offence Contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. Driving Too Slowly Also Creates a Dangerous Safety Hazard For Others Traveling At Normal Speeds.
Understanding the Charge of Driving Too Slowly Including the Applicable Penalties
It may be quite surprising; however, it is true that driving too slowly may be unlawful. Additionally, driving too slowly can present as a dangerous safety hazard and indeed there are examples of where an unexpected and unusually slow vehicle caused a tragic accident. Driving too slowly can be similarly as dangerous as driving at excessive speed. Of course, safe and cautious driving is always strongly encouraged; however, unnecessarily slow driving, and becoming an obstacle to other traffic, or possibly frustrating other drivers so severely as to trigger erratic conduct, can pose significant danger.
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
Similar to driving too fast, driving too slowly can also pose risks to others using the roadway whereas when traffic moving at a normal speed comes upon a vehicle travelling unexpectedly slow and dangerous situation exists. While a charge of driving too slowly is likely uncommon, the law provides for the possibility of such a charge.
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