[kadanaJ]

For me, the issue isn't slow road hogs, but slow road hogs who occupy 2 lanes.

If it's a single lane road, and the person ahead wants to drive slowly for whatever reason, I'll relax and follow their speed. Most times this situation comes up, it's generally a pretty narrow or unsafe road as well, so it makes sense to be disciplined for that particular stretch.

What really makes my blood boil though, is when there are clearly 2 demarcated lanes going in the same direction, and it should be easy for a faster driver to overtake safely, their are certain moppers who cannot keep their car in their lane (the type of person who is too scared to be near the barriers on the road, hence keeps their car in the middle).

Such people do indeed make roads more dangerous for everyone.

[Arun Varma]

My take is that abiding by the flow of traffic (relative speed) is a far more important factor that determines a good experience for road users than the absolute speed. This, in my experience, allows for a better (higher) average speed for everyone. Also, in this context, aggressive enthusiasts or distracted / unskilled slowpokes can not only reduce the overall average speed for everyone but also contribute to hairy situations developing.

[xsrahul]

When one drives in any country, such a situation will always be encountered where a few are road hogging and a few others are ‘flying’ past.

I’ve come to terms with it and realised that best is to ignore and drive in the correct lane. On toll highways, it’s up to each of us Bhp’ians to lead by example and choose the right lane to drive and overtake.

With the power of cars improving leaps and bounds along with road surface, people will eventually feel safer to drive in the correct lane to peacefully enjoy the drive.

I am always reminded of this quote when I encounter either of the situations and it helps bring a smile to my face fully knowing that if I am faster, the person in the other car would probably also have assumed that I too am a maniac.

Enjoy the (s)miles

[RGK]

Unfortunately, we are not taught in a standard method how to drive. The way people learn is different (from buddies, brothers, driving instructors, self-teaching, etc.) and there's no universal approach. It is essential to have a uniform methodology for driving lessons and a practical syllabus that is followed strictly.

[Aritra]

I don't think it's an easy answer and depends on a number of widely varying factors. Sharing some of the thoughts that are coming to mind. However, please note that I will not be able to prove any of these with facts & figures:

Traffic density - The number of vehicles per lane per km per minute will be a crucial factor in determining congestion on roads. Every road has been designed for a certain load and once it reaches the threshold and exceeds it, the speed of all vehicles will be exponentially reduced as the infrastructure does not support the number of vehicles plying choking up the facility. Example ORR in Bengaluru & IT Parks during office hours.

Traffic Signals - The denser the traffic signals over a stretch of road, the more you may loose time if you get stuck in red light. Also, the stopping time at a bigger junction varies significantly if one is on the main road or an arterial road that joins the main road. Couple it up with some users who literally fall asleep in a red light, your stop time increases by another 5 - 6 precious sec. before you engage 1st once the signal turns green.

Vehicle mix in the traffic - If the traffic has a very high proportion of heavy vehicles which usually maintain a lower speed, the overall traffic will tend to slow down. Imagine two fully loaded trucks driving at 25kmph & 26kmph restively with one trying to overtake another in a 2-lane stretch of the road! Those from Thane & Mumbai will know how this pans out in the Ghodbunder Road.

Road curvature - A more curved road will usually lead to a slower overall speed since one may need to keep speeds in check during turns, especially if the turns are sharp or blind compared to straight roads. In India, you never know who will come in the opposite directions and pays safe to maintain 40kmph in sharp turns even when one is permitted to go at 60kmph.

Slopes & inclines - On an upward slope, the speed of a heavy commercial vehicle or a light goods carrier will reduce as they need to negotiate the gradient. On narrow roads, this may lead to slowing down the overall pace of the traffic.

Road surface condition - Indian roads - cities & highways are full of surprises. A beautifully tarmacked road can suddenly lead to a big crater. And most people are shy once bitten. You hit one pothole at a high speed and then you become cautious. Even when you see roads are good and speed limit is high, one may tend to be overcautious and keep speeds low being wary of when and where the next surprise is lurking.

Barricades & speed breakers - Barricades in the middle of National Highway, on major arterial roads in evening are a common sight in some parts of the country (WB!!). These tend to unnecessarily reduce the overall speed by forcing to brake then accelerate. Same goes with speed breakers constructed even in the middle of highway (I distinctly remember that 6 lane highways from Bengaluru to Hassan had speed breakers few years back! Not sure now though). Since one would need to slow down to cross these obstacles and sometimes, even come to a crawl and then accelerate back to the allowed speed limit, one tends to significantly affect the overall average speed.

Ambience - A beautiful picturesque road will mostly have vehicles travelling at much lower than the speed limit as the drivers and passengers would want to soak up the scenery. Examples waterfalls along ghat roads and highways in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Also, if the traffic comprises of taxis / auto rickshaws / buses if the midst of a business area during office closure hours, be prepared for slow traffic since the public transport will stop in the middle of the road or erratically fetching passengers.

Rules & Regulations - Traffic rules are designed to ensure a smoother flow of traffic, however the lack of awareness in our country combined with the lack of vigilance and mild punishment means a lot of traffic do not obey the rules becoming a hazard for all road users and leads to slowing up the traffic and creating snarls.

[Genie]

Its not a preference of one over the other but,
In the indian scenario if a fast driver wants to move ahead in traffic without obstructing or inconveniencing others that is acceptable to me.
Highly irritating are the slow drivers, drifters and those not abiding lanes that have complete disregard for others and cause the slow down and frustrate everybody around.

[JediKnight]

If traffic goes beyond a certain density for a particular road infrastructure available at a time you will have slow moving traffic irrespective of any thing else. For example peak office hours in places like Bangalore ORR. Actually following lane discipline in such scenarios slows down traffic even more. Indian style lane cutting can actually improve overall road movement throughput since for example people on two wheelers are able to move ahead. I have noticed many times while commuting peak hours in Bangalore when a traffic cop is present at a junction it takes longer time to cross the junction.

Only real way to reduce peak congestion is to reduce vehicle density. For example ban people from taking private vehicles to office. Or stagger office opening times. Or don't let offices cluster beyond a point in a particular area etc.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by On4Wheels

We encounter slow moving traffic every time we hit the road.
Who would be more responsible for this

It is our RTO and the training that we get to drive which is the biggest culprit.
We have no ethics regarding halting/parking.
Switching lanes even on bigger roads is a habit, heck people switch lanes even at a toll booth!

[SS80]

Honestly speaking, travelling within Bangalore is painful these days, one of the biggest contributors to the chaos is BMRCL construction and the millions of potholes they create. This itself slows down most vehicles who ride on 10 to 13-inch wheels and they in turn force bigger vehicles to chug along at their speed.

I ride from Horamavu to Arekere 3 days a week and on a bike, it takes 70 to 90 minutes to cover a distance of 24kms. It's the road condition, and useless flyovers like Sevanagar junction that are the main contributors to slow-moving traffic.