Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. It can cause accidents and confusion on the road, and it can also be a traffic violation. But is it actually illegal to drive below the posted speed limit in Illinois?

I was wondering about this while driving to work after I approach a car that, in my mind, was crawling along the road. Even though I wasn't running late I was annoyed at the pace the person in front of me was driving.

Canva
Canva
loading...

According to Illinois state law, the Illinois Vehicle Code defines a "safe and reasonable speed" as the speed that is reasonable and proper under the circumstances, taking into account the traffic, surface, and width of the road, as well as the weather and visibility.

This means that if you are driving below the posted speed limit, but you are driving at a speed that is safe and reasonable given the conditions, you are not breaking the law. However, if you are driving too slowly and causing a traffic hazard or obstruction, you could be cited for driving too slowly.

You Might Like: 10 of the Best Road Trips to Take When You Need to Escape Illinois This Winter

There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are driving on a divided highway with two or more lanes in each direction, you are required to drive in the right lane unless you are passing another vehicle. If you are driving in the left lane and impeding the flow of traffic, you could be cited for driving too slowly, even if you are driving at or below the posted speed limit.

It's important to note that even if you are driving at a safe and reasonable speed, you may still need to adjust your speed based on the posted speed limit. For example, if you are driving on a road with a posted speed limit of 55 mph, but the weather conditions are poor and visibility is low, it may be necessary to slow down to a speed that is safe and reasonable for the conditions.

Is It Ever Illegal To Drive Under The Posted Speed Limit On Illinois Roads?

To answer the question, it is not illegal to drive below the posted speed limit in Illinois as long as you are driving at a safe and reasonable speed. However, if you are driving too slowly and causing a traffic hazard or obstruction, you could be cited for driving too slowly. It's always a good idea to pay attention to the posted speed limit and adjust your speed based on the conditions of the road and the weather.

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

LOOK: See the iconic cars that debuted the year you were born

More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5