Is the fast lane on the left or right?
2 Answers
In China, the fast lane is on the left. On highways or urban roads, the leftmost lane is designated as the fast lane. When there are two or more motor vehicle lanes in the same direction, the left lane is the fast lane, and the right lane is the slow lane. On roads with three motor vehicle lanes in the same direction and no other markings, the leftmost lane is the fast lane, the middle lane is the regular driving lane, and the right lane is the slow lane. The minimum speed for the left lane is 100 km/h, while the middle lane has a minimum speed of 90 km/h. Vehicles in the fast lane must maintain the prescribed speed. If a vehicle cannot reach the required speed, it should move to the slow lane. Vehicles in the slow lane may temporarily use the fast lane to overtake the vehicle in front.
As an enthusiast who frequently drives in various countries, I've noticed that the position of the fast lane varies depending on the location, with traffic rules being the key factor. In right-hand traffic countries like the U.S. and most European nations, the fast lane is typically the left lane, used for overtaking or faster travel; whereas in left-hand traffic regions such as the UK and Australia, the fast lane is often on the right. This design aims to minimize conflicts and accidents. During my driving experience in Germany last year, I strictly adhered to the rule of keeping the left lane as the fast lane, otherwise, I would be warned by flashing headlights from vehicles behind. From a safety perspective, it's crucial to develop the habit of observing road signs and the flow of traffic on highways to avoid reckless lane changes that could lead to accidents.
