How to Distinguish Highway Lanes?

[LaAnastasia]

On highways, there are speed limit signs to distinguish lanes. In the absence of speed limit signs, differentiate according to the following conditions: Highways should indicate the speed limits for each lane, with the maximum speed not exceeding 120 km/h and the minimum speed not less than 60 km/h. On highways, the maximum speed for small passenger vehicles should not exceed 120 km/h, for other motor vehicles not more than 100 km/h, and for motorcycles not more than 80 km/h. Additional information: For two lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed for the left lane is 100 km/h. For three or more lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed for the leftmost lane is 110 km/h, and for the middle lane, it is 90 km/h. If the speed indicated by road speed limit signs conflicts with the above lane speed regulations, follow the speed indicated by the road speed limit signs.

[DiMolly]

After years of long-distance driving, I've got a clear understanding of highway lane divisions. The leftmost lane is usually the passing lane, meant only for overtaking – occupying it for too long can earn you a ticket. The middle lane is the main travel lane where most vehicles cruise. The right lane is typically for trucks, which move slower. Pay special attention to the far-right emergency lane with diagonal stripes – that's a lifeline reserved for breakdowns or accidents. Some three-lane highways even mark the left lane for compact vehicles only, so truck drivers should steer clear. The most straightforward way is to follow the road arrows and overhead lane signs: blue-background signs with white numbers indicate speed limits, while lanes marked with car/truck icons require matching vehicles. Night driving demands extra vigilance – differently colored reflective lane markers also help with positioning.

[TannerLynn]

Every time I take my parents on a self-driving trip, I have to pay attention to lane changes on the highway. The median barrier of the eight-lane highway (four lanes in each direction) is very obvious. Counting from the left in the same direction: the first lane is exclusively for small cars to overtake, with the highest speed limit; the second lane is a mixed-use lane; the third lane is for large vehicles; the far right lane, besides the emergency lane, has an additional speed change lane, which serves as a buffer lane for entering and exiting service areas and toll stations. Recently, newly built smart highways have added LED lane indicator signs that can display green arrows for open lanes and red crosses for closed lanes in real time. On rainy days, pay attention to the rumble strips at the edge of the lanes—driving over them creates a rumbling sound as a warning for lane departure. Remember to avoid lanes marked with 'ETC Only'—attempting to pass without the proper device can be awkward.

[BraydenRose]

Having repaired cars for ten years, I've witnessed too many accidents caused by incorrect lane usage. The primary rule for lane division is to observe the markings: white dashed lines allow temporary crossing, while solid white lines are like walls that must not be crossed. On a three-lane road, the middle lane is the safest, with the lowest chance of being sandwiched by large trucks. Manual transmission drivers should pay extra attention to long uphill sections, as the far-right lane is often designated as a climbing lane for slower vehicles. If you see sawtooth markings on the road, that's a diversion area where parking is strictly prohibited! Recently, I encountered a driver who mistook a tidal flow lane for a time-based lane and drove recklessly. In reality, entering such a lane against the direction indicated by the double-row traffic lights (when red) will result in losing all your points. Never weave between lanes in tunnels.

[DiLogan]

When I first started driving on the highway, I relied entirely on the lane prompts from the navigation system. The most straightforward way is to observe the road markings: diamond-shaped blocks indicate upcoming deceleration areas, and fishbone lines mark ramp diverges. In a four-lane layout, the leftmost lane is the passing lane with a speed limit of 120 km/h, while the second lane from the right is primarily for large vehicles with an 80 km/h limit. Pay special attention to the electronic signs above the lanes—if they display a red X with a passenger car icon, it means large trucks are prohibited during that time. At dusk, when using low beams, clearly identify the arrows on the road: a single arrow indicates straight-only lanes, while double arrows denote variable-direction lanes. Immediately yield to lanes enclosed by blue water-filled barriers in construction zones—yesterday, I nearly collided with a maintenance vehicle because I missed the orange cone barricades. During rainy conditions, prefer the middle lanes as deep water accumulation on the edges can cause hydroplaning.

[Phil]

During my last self-drive trip to Shanxi, I noticed significant variations in highway lane divisions across different regions. The core rule is: the lane closest to the central barrier is the fast lane, while the one with the most tire marks is the main lane. Pay special attention to lane width changes - the overtaking lane is typically 0.2 meters narrower, making it particularly uncomfortable for large trucks. At forks, focus on ground markings like 'Qingdao Direction' or 'Xi'an Direction' as diversion indicators. Many sections now have kilometer markers every 1,000 meters, which work well with emergency call posts for precise location. At dusk, use the reflective colors of roadside delineators to identify lane positions - yellow indicates shoulders while white marks travel lanes. The escape door indicators on tunnel walls also contain lane information: green dots mean clear passage ahead for that lane.