There are times when driving at or just under the speed limit is actually as dangerous as speeding. This is because the road or the environment may be so hazardous that drivers should slow their vehicles to avoid accidents. A driver who does not slow down may be driving too fast for conditions, which may cause injury or death.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes a few instances where conditions require drivers to reduce their speeds below the posted speed limit to remain safe on the road.
During bad weather
A heavy rainstorm reduces visibility, so you may not see dangerous situations approach until it is too late to react. Connecticut winters also see snowfalls and icy conditions which can make roads slippery during these months. Even driving at the posted speed limit on an icy road may be too fast for you to slow down to avoid a collision.
On roads in a state of repair
A road under repair will likely have a number of road workers laboring near traffic, so it is important to maintain a slow speed to avoid hitting a worker. Also, road work may necessitate closing off a lane or two. Since this can constrict traffic into a single lane, drivers will have to slow down or risk rear-ending another automobile.
Night driving with limited light
Driving through an urban area at night during clear weather will probably not pose visibility problems, provided you are driving with working headlights. However, if you encounter an area under a power outage or a rural location without many street lights, you may risk a collision if you do not reduce your speed. Even with headlights, you have no guarantee of seeing a physical obstacle in time if the environment is too dark.
Any driver should consider the outside environment while driving. Going too fast for conditions is still a form of speeding and may incur legal and civil penalties for the driver.
