How are the fast and slow lanes divided on highways?
3 Answers
Located in the innermost lane of the highway. Only when the road meets the standards of a two-way six-lane highway is there an overtaking lane. For two lanes in the same direction, the left lane is the fast lane and the right lane is the slow lane; for three or more lanes in the same direction, the leftmost lane is the fast lane.
After driving on the highway for so many years, I've long understood the rules of fast and slow lanes. The leftmost lane is usually the fast lane or overtaking lane, specifically for brief overtaking; the one or two lanes on the right are the slow lanes or travel lanes, where you should normally drive. After overtaking, immediately return to the slow lane—don’t hog the overtaking lane, as it can easily cause traffic jams or accidents. This lane division is designed for safety, allowing vehicles of different speeds to flow separately and avoid rear-end collisions. Additionally, road signs indicate the purpose and speed limits of each lane—for example, the fast lane may only allow small passenger vehicles to overtake, while large trucks stay in the right slow lane. With enough highway driving, you’ll develop the habit of staying in the middle or right lane and overtaking safely when needed. Remember to maintain a safe distance, and slower vehicles should avoid the fast lane. Highways emphasize both efficiency and safety—it’s easy to get the hang of it after a few simple practices.
When I first got my driver's license, I was quite confused about how to distinguish between fast and slow lanes on the highway. Now I understand: on the highway, lanes are divided from right to left. The far right is usually the slow lane or climbing lane, suitable for trucks and maintaining a steady speed; the middle is the general travel lane; the far left is called the overtaking lane or fast lane, used temporarily for passing. After overtaking, immediately return to the original lane and don’t linger to avoid affecting vehicles behind. The rule is to keep traffic flowing by speed, reducing chaos. I need to pay attention to road signs and markings, and as a beginner, observe how other drivers behave. For safety, always use turn signals before changing lanes, and avoid blind lane changes when traffic is heavy. Driving in the slow lane is generally more stable, avoiding excessive speed to reduce risks. My driving instructor always reminded me of this, and it’s truly useful.
