Dear Fellow Driver (and you know who you are),
I am writing today because of your total lack of consideration for others on the road. I am hoping to assist you in avoiding a repeat of the same behavior in the future by explaining an item of common courtesy that other drivers expect from you.
The item I want to discuss is the speed limit sign. I know you've seen these signs: they generally have a white background, are rectangular in shape, have black writing on them and are conveniently located on the right hand side of the road in plain view of drivers. There are large numbers printed on the sign to indicate the posted speed limit for that road. To be more precise, this means the numbers on these signs should match the numbers on the speedometer in your car, truck, mini-van or SUV within plus or minus 5 MPH. I'll give you one more clue, your speedometer is the gage that showed numbers between 30 and 35 regardless of the numbers printed on the white signs (which for reference only were 50 for the first 5 miles and 45 for the last 4 miles I was stuck behind you). You are a hazard on the road when you drive 15 to 20 miles below the speed limit.
I would still be willing to give you the benefit of the doubt here that it really wasn't your fault you drove as you did but I can't think of any good reason to explain your actions. Perhaps you were having mechanical difficulties that prevented you from driving faster? Unfortunately, you are responsible for maintaining your vehicle in a road-worthy condition. If your vehicle is mechanically deficient you should have it repaired and keep it off the road until it is sound enough to drive again. Be a good citizen and pull off the road if the trouble occurs enroute to your destination so that you don't impede lawful traffic while you call for assistance to remedy your mechanical problem(s).
Another possibility that occurs to me to explain your behavior is that you can't read. While I hope that isn't the case (indicating that I'm wasting my time writing this letter to you) you must surely be able to compare. If the first number on your speedometer doesn't look like the first number on the speed limit sign please press on the accelerator (that is the pedal on the floor to the far right - closest to the passenger seat - that makes your vehicle move forward when you have "D" selected on your gear shift) until they do match. At the worst case then - unless you're in a trailer park in Florida or somewhere similar - chances are you'll either be driving the correct speed limit or you'll only be driving 5 MPH slower than the posted speed limit. Driving 5 MPH below the speed limit is forgivable in most instances. Driving 15 to 20 MPH below the speed limit is not nearly as forgivable and is indeed downright selfish on your part.
The final excuse I can think of that you might use to explain your actions is some type of medical condition. I think a good rule of thumb here is that if you are too sick to drive the speed limit you are too sick to drive. If the reason is related to your eyesight (lost glasses, eye drops from an examination, whatever) then you definitely should not be driving. Please stay home, call a cab to go out or return home or get somebody else to drive you.
The reasons for showing this little courtesy to other drivers are numerous. Some people have appointments they need to reach on time. Other people might have to pick up a sick child from school, daycare or the doctor's office. And yet others might be trying to reach a hospital or nursing home to bid good-bye to a dying relative or friend. It might also be that people are trying to just return home to their loving spouses, significant others or pets after a long day at work. As you can see, other drivers have many reasons to be on the road and usually only want a little bit of courtesy from you so that they can reach their destinations in a reasonable time.
So please, next time you take to the road drive the speed limit. I know that if you do this little favor for the rest of us we, the other drivers on the road, won't have to pull you out of your car at our first convenience and beat the ever-loving shit out of you.
Thank you,
Another Driver
edit - fixed a few typos... sorry