The Daily Star's FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox Sign up today! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Slow drivers are killing or maiming more people than ever before on our roads.

The number of people dying or being seriously injured in crashes caused by motorists going at far less than the speed limit has soared 75% in the last five years.

Department of Transport figures reveal that slow-coach drivers have been blamed for causing around three serious accidents every week.

Last year, 26 people were seriously hurt and two killed in crashes where police believed driving too slowly contributed to the crash.

Another 132 people were less seriously injured in smashes put down to slow drivers.

Dawdling motorists are believed to trigger tailgating, undertaking, congestion and road rage, which can then lead to serious traffic incidents.

Minimum speeds are rare on UK roads, but they do exist in some high-risk locations such as tunnels.

(Image: GETTY)

Going too slowly on any road can lead to a motorist being penalised for careless driving.

The offence normally carries a £100 fine and three penalty points. Hugh Bladon, a founder member of the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “I’m not in the least bit surprised by these worrying statistics.

“Driving too slowly is basically selfish and downright stupid, and is a recipe for disaster.”

He added: “I have advocated for a long time that driving too slowly causes frustration for other people and can cause them to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre, which is the most dangerous thing you can do on the roads.

“Low speed limits cause a problem, as do people travelling slowly because they are towing items such as caravans. But there are also people who are not particularly confident on the roads and they drive slowly because they are nervous.”

And he admitted: “I don’t think there is much you can do about it.

“Although setting more realistic speed limits, where the limit is appropriate to the road rather than at the whim of some do-gooder, would also be a help.”