Is slowing down 20 mph below the speed limit the same as brake checking?

[red324]

I have a pet peeve for people that ride my ass on a 5 lane interstate and I'm not even in the left lane so I'll slow down to about 50 mph so they take a hint and change lanes. My guess is brake checking is slamming on the brakes really hard versus just a normal slowdown like I do. Opinions? Anyways is this illegal? It's not safe to me having someone 2ft behind me when I'm doing 70mph. I did this the other day and the guy got so pissed. It's not my fault he's wreckless.

[God_of_Thunder]

Provided you're not in the left lane, as you said, then I don't see a problem with it. It's definitely safer than brake checking, and as long as the other vehicle has the capability to pass you on the left, you're not technically in the wrong.

Most states do have minimum speed limits, however, so depending on your local laws, slowing down too much could potentially be illegal, so be careful.

Theoretically, and officer could pull you over, and cite you, for disrupting the flow of traffic, and/or creating a potentially dangerous situation, based on the fact that you could be putting others at risk. People traveling 70+ mph may not be expecting to suddenly come across vehicles doing 50, and end up rear ending them.

So, ultimately, the safest course of action would be to move over, if possible, and just let the asswipe pass, but if you did feel like moderately inconveniencing him, for being a dick, then you can, so long as you don't go too far in doing so.

[red324]

I don't think there is a minimum speed unless it's posted. Usually if it says so it's 45mph minimum

[God_of_Thunder]

There might not be one, in your area; it's different in different places. My state has a legal minimum of 50 mph on an interstate, whether it's posted, or not, which is why I mentioned it.

[Guy13]

You need to hire a driver. It makes your life so much easier 110.00 week for 5 hours of work is same gas and no mileage on your auto...

[SaoirseS]

It's not the same as brake checking the way I understand it, but as long as you're driving on the right and he can pass, I don't see what his issue would be. I can't stand tailgaters either. No it's not illegal to slow down unless you drop below the minimum speed limit on an interstate.

[On_cloud_wine]

Oh boy, I’m on the same fucking page as you. Ugh.

[On_cloud_wine]

We drive the same way😊

[red324]

It happened again today on the same road! This girl was 4ft off my bumper doing 70mph which is 5 over. So I slowed down and she switched lanes and then gave me the finger when she passed. Lmao. So a few minutes later I pass her seeing her doing the same thing to someone else.

[Anonymous]

The appropriate response to a tailgater is to slow down. They teach this in drivers education and in the safety courses for commercial drivers.

[BJP21]

No but you are restricting traffic.

[red324]

I just do it long enough for them to go around They get the idea after about 10 seconds.