Final answer:
Slow moving vehicle signs alert drivers to vehicles that operate below 30 mph to ensure road safety. Drivers often exceed posted speed limits or follow them closely, which can cause frustration
Step-by-step explanation:
Slow moving vehicles are required to display signs to alert other drivers that they travel at speeds less than 30 miles per hour (mph). Such regulations help maintain safety on the roads, preventing accidents that may occur due to differences in vehicle speeds. In areas where speed limits are set—for instance, at 35 mph, like the main artery in a city's business district mentioned in one of the examples—drivers are expected to adhere to these limits. However, in reality, drivers sometimes exceed these limits or drive at the minimum speed. This can lead to scenarios where other drivers, such as in the case of Peter, get frustrated and may engage in risky driving behavior like tailgating or excessive honking. The importance of obeying speed limits and understanding when to slow down is illustrated by the scenarios provided, which highlight not just the actual speed limits posted, but also the de facto speed limits enforced by police patrols.
Moreover, the scenes described also relate to the concept of instantaneous speed, which is the speed of a vehicle at a specific instant, and can vary throughout a journey. Speed is also a crucial factor when considering stopping distances, as illustrated by the situation where a car left a long skid mark and the driver received a ticket for potentially exceeding the speed limit, which may require an understanding of physics and the coefficient of friction between the tires and the road to contest in court.