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Category: Impeding Traffic

 

[caption id="attachment_2102" align="alignright" width="300"]The most common cause of delay for motorists is other motorists. The most common cause of delay for motorists is other motorists.[/caption]

All road users routinely and legally delay other road users.  “Impeding” is when a driver delays others in a particular way that has been defined by the state to be unlawful. In florida impeding is defined as follows:

Unlawful Speed: 316.183 (5) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

This law does NOT apply to human powered vehicles.

Impeding traffic is not, in itself, a violation.  There are many situations in which bicyclists legally delay other traffic. They may do so lawfully if traveling in a narrow lane, passing other vehicles, preparing far a left turn, avoiding any unsafe condition, and other situations.  Other drivers must wait until it is safe and legal to pass in those situations.

Drivers encounter many circumstances in which they are slowed or stopped.  Garbage trucks, mail carriers, stopped vehicles, traffic lights, stop signs among many others.

If a driver can safely pass within the lane or by changing lanes, he is not being impeded.