What is the purpose of a minimum speed limit?

A minimum speed limit serves primarily to expedite traffic flow on roadways. By setting a minimum speed, traffic regulations aim to maintain a reasonable and consistent pace among vehicles, reducing instances of vehicles traveling significantly slower than the surrounding traffic. This helps to prevent bottlenecks and ensures that all vehicles can move through intersections and along road stretches more efficiently.

While other factors such as awareness, collision prevention, and safe stopping distance are crucial considerations for overall traffic management, the primary intent of a minimum speed limit is to ensure that vehicles maintain a speed that does not hinder the flow of traffic. Vehicles traveling below the minimum speed can create hazards by forcing faster-moving vehicles to change lanes or brake suddenly, which can lead to accidents. Therefore, maintaining a minimum speed helps keep the traffic moving smoothly and reduces the likelihood of disruptions on the road.