This week’s featured question was submitted for an officer of the Merrill Police Department.
The question reads:
“Is it true there is such a thing as driving too slow? Like you can get a ticket for driving too slow on the highway or interstate? My dad swears there used to be minimum speed signs just like the speed signs we have now and if you were driving slower than that speed you could get a ticket. If this is true, why are they not used anymore? What is the cut off for driving too slow since we don’t have those signs anymore?”
Answer as given by Merrill Police Officer Tyler Tesch:
“Posted minimum speed signs are sort of a relic of the past and were almost exclusively on interstates and highways.
“With the increasing speed limits nationwide, most states such as Wisconsin, have adopted more discretionary speed rule as opposed to a set minimum limit.
“In Wisconsin State Statute 346.59 ‘Minimum speed regulation’ only stipulates that no person may drive so slow on a public roadway as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. The exception to this would be in the event of inclement weather or when road conditions dictate a reduction in speed for safe operation.”
Have a question or concern you would like to address? Simply send your question or concern to [email protected] along with an indication of which entity your question or concern pertains to. Current participants are the Merrill Police Department, Merrill Fire Department, Tomahawk Police Department, Lincoln County Administrative Coordinator Randy Scholz, Merrill City Administrator Dave Johnson, Merrill Area Housing Authority Director Paul Russell and Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) Superintendent Dr. John Sample. Please note: Those who submit to the ‘Ask an Official’ feature remain anonymous.