Traffic flow is driving so that you are moving at about the same speed as the cars around you, but not speeding. Studies show that if everyone drives at the same speed then traffic collisions are reduced. Why? Because cars traveling at a wide variety of speeds on the same road create obstacles for one another to drive around. If you drive too slowly then you are simply an obstacle that others have to drive around. If you are driving slowly, then your biggest source of danger is behind you. Looking in your mirrors becomes critical. Meanwhile, if you are driving faster than the flow of traffic then you are continually setting yourself up to have a rear end collision with cars in front of you, which would be deemed your fault. Of course to avoid hitting the car in front of you it will be necessary to slow down quickly or suddenly swerve into a lane next to you. Again these sudden maneuvers set up traffic collisions that would be deemed your fault. And, now your insurance rates begin to climb as well as the possibility of your license being suspended for habitual reckless driving.
In moving with the flow of traffic we must communicate with the drivers around us. This not only means sending a message like turning our turn signal on or tapping our brakes to warn a driver behind us it also means receiving a message. And speeders fail miserably in this category. First, they give themselves very little time to read, interpret, and respond to messages they receive from other drivers. And two, speeders do not give drivers around them time to respond to their messages or actions. Despite the fact that you may be able to drive a car faster than others, it does not mean that other drivers are ready to drive that fast or respond that fast. Yes, our highway transportation system is only as good as the slowest driver. Understanding the limitations of other drivers is a huge factor in maximizing traffic flow, minimizing your risk, and minimizing the effect of the emotions that often go with road rage