Muscat – Authorities in Oman are warning that driving too slowly on highways is becoming a serious traffic hazard, disrupting road flow and putting motorists at risk.

Officials say vehicles travelling below the minimum speed limit, especially in the left lane, force others into risky overtaking manoeuvres, increasing congestion and tension on roads.

Col Khamis bin Ali al Batashi, Assistant Director General of Traffic, said slow driving on main roads is a violation of traffic rules. “Many drivers think slowing down makes the road safer, but in fact it can confuse other road users and block traffic, especially on busy highways,” he said.

He explained that the reasons include inexperience among new drivers, anxiety, health conditions and age-related factors. In some cases, the Traffic Directorate issues warnings rather than fines, but the problem continues to affect traffic flow.

Regular commuters report that the practice is widespread. Yousef bin Saeed al Rawahi, who drives to Muscat every day, said, “Drivers in the left lane often travel at just 80kmph, even though the speed limit is 120kmph. This causes confusion and increases the risk of accidents.”

Driver distraction is another reason. Abeer bint Mohammed al Rahbi, a nurse, said many motorists are preoccupied with mobile phones, creating unnecessary bottlenecks.

Other drivers said the problem persists despite warnings on the road. “Some drivers ignore honking and flashing lights, forcing sudden lane changes,” said Omar bin Abdullah al Hammadi. “Activating speed cameras to monitor these violations is essential. This behaviour poses a real threat to road safety.”

According to Col Batashi, new monitoring systems can now detect vehicles moving below the minimum speed threshold. These measures, along with awareness campaigns, patrols and clear road signage are part of ongoing efforts to reduce risks on highways, where the minimum speed is set at 80kmph.