What is the maximum speed limit for the middle lane on a highway?
2 Answers
Highway middle lane maximum speed is 120 km/h. Below are the relevant legal provisions: 2 lanes: Article 78 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law" states: Highways shall indicate lane speed limits, with maximum speed not exceeding 120 km/h. For roads with 2 lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed for the left lane is 100 km/h. 3 or more lanes: For roads with 3 or more lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed for the leftmost lane is 110 km/h, while the middle lane's minimum speed is 90 km/h. If road speed limit signs indicate speeds inconsistent with these lane regulations, drivers should follow the posted speed limit signs.
I have been driving on highways for many years, paying special attention to speed safety. The maximum speed in the middle lane is usually 120 kilometers per hour, but this is not a rigid target—it’s a safe upper limit. All lanes on the highway are generally limited to 120 km/h unless roadside signs indicate a lower speed. The middle lane offers a balanced choice: it’s not as fast as the leftmost lane (which increases accident risks) nor as slow as the rightmost lane (often occupied by heavy trucks). However, higher speeds come with greater risks, especially in slippery or rainy conditions, so I believe reducing to 100 km/h is safer. I’ve also found maintaining a following distance of at least 100 meters crucial—at 120 km/h, you only have about 1.5 seconds to react if the car ahead brakes suddenly. When overtaking, you must switch to the left lane; otherwise, exceeding 120 km/h in the middle lane could result in fines or penalty points. Safe driving isn’t just about speed limits; it also depends on road conditions and traffic flow—for example, driving at 100 km/h during peak hours is more prudent.
