A car travels on a motorway open to traffic. Ice patches make it unsafe to maintain 60 km/h. May it travel at 40 km/h if that speed allows it to retain control?

Correct answer

Yes, since this is a special circumstance

Yes. Article 49.2 allows driving below the minimum when road conditions prevent maintaining it safely. Ice justifies adapting speed; it does not authorise entering a closed road or guarantee that 40 km/h is safe in every case. Use hazard lights if you cannot reach the minimum and there is a risk of a rear-end collision, under article 49.3. Slow driving does not automatically require the shoulder: for vehicles up to 3,500 kg, article 36.1 requires an emergency, serious traffic disruption and a usable, sufficient shoulder.