A person who drives much slower than the speed limit:
- Is a very safe driver.
- Always has the right-of-way.
- Should not let following cars pass.
- May create a dangerous driving environment. ✓
Answer: D. May create a dangerous driving environment.
A person who drives much slower than the speed limit may create a dangerous driving environment.
Why this is the answer
The manual says that driving too slowly can halt the flow of traffic and create a dangerous condition, and that slow drivers can be as dangerous as fast ones. It also explains that some highways set minimum speed limits exactly to keep traffic moving smoothly. So a very slow driver is not automatically safer just because of low speed; the mismatch with the flow of traffic is the problem the manual points to.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Is a very safe driver. — The manual says those driving too slowly can be as dangerous as those who drive too fast, so low speed alone does not make someone a very safe driver.
- B. Always has the right-of-way. — Nothing in the passages gives a slow driver the right-of-way; speed and right-of-way are separate rules in the manual.
- C. Should not let following cars pass. — The manual talks about keeping traffic flowing smoothly and warns that slow driving can halt traffic, not about blocking cars that want to get around you.
Remember it
Think of speed as part of the traffic flow: matching it keeps things smooth, and falling far below it can stall everyone behind you.
Official handbook: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8: Defensive Driving – Speed