Why is the left lane "the fast lane"?

Question

i'm studying for my permit in the state of CA.

it says the left lane is the fast lane, why is that?

Answer 1

It's like supposed to be the passing lane, and on the freeway/highway it should be left clear unless one wants to pass up some cars and get out in front of the pack.

Answer 2

The left lane is for passing people.  

Answer 3

so you can pass other traffic. everyone is generally supposed to drive in the right lane till you come up on a slower vehical, which then u move you move over to the left lane and go faster to pass the slow vehicle, and then u move back to the right lane when ur past them.

Answer 4

the right lane is the commute people who are only going down a coupe of exits.  

Answer 5

Because you are supposed to enter a multi-lane road in the right lane, so the right lane would need to be the slower lane of traffic to allow for a slower vehicle to enter. This makes the left lane the faster lane by default.

Answer 6

if you meen racing it's the sorter part if the race track and its quicker.

Answer 7

cause its dangerous to pass on right.

in europe where drivers seat is on the right the right lane is the fast lane.

Answer 8

cause if you wanna go a little faster, go in that lane. it gets slower as the lanes go to the right.  

Answer 9

Some states have just 2 lanes.  And if you drive on the right and then approach a slow car, then you pass on the left, you will be surprised how easily the traffic flow (sometimes even better than hwy with 3 lanes and no such rules).

So they are trying to keep the same idea even with 3 lane hwy (or more).

good luck...

Answer 10

The left lane is not called the fast lane in any state-authorized publication or by anyone with an IQ greater than their shoe size. It is always referred to as the "number one lane". The lanes are numbered from the center to the right in numerical order. The number one lane tends to move faster than the rest because fewer cars are moving in or out of the lane. However, the maximum speed limit applies to every single lane on the freeway. If you choose to drive slower than the maximum posted speed, you are required to drive in the right lane.  

Answer 11

"blind spot" is on the right-hand side of the car

fast-lane implies overtaking drivers are visible to the cars being overtaken

Answer 12

because the exit is on the right side and people if they dont know where their going or which exit they have to get off on they tend to go slower

Answer 13

Cause the steering wheel is on the left. You see people easier on ur left than your right.

Answer 14

I thought it was the right lane because the left lane is the slow lane because thats where people exit.

....and I have a Ca license lol.

Answer 15

There really is no reason, it just is.  Though most people don't really follow this rule anymore, on a two lane highway, the right lane is the one you typically stay in unless you're passing someone, using the left lane.

Answer 16

Well, I'm not 100% on this, but my guess would be the right lane you have merging traffic getting onto the highway and traffic slowing down to get off the highway so that will slow people down. So it would make that the slowest lane, and to make it eaiser they made the lane the furthest away from there the fast lane.  

Answer 17

Because on the highways most exits and entrances are on the left.  Cars entering or exiting will be slower than cars cruising along with no intention to exit.

Answer 18

The rule is to keep right unless you are going to pass someone.  The left lane is also commonly referred to as the "passing lane".

You can actually get a ticket for driving the speed limit in the left lane when there is nobody in the right lane.

Answer 19

because when the highways were 2 lane you always passed on the left hand side. well now that there are more lanes you still are suppose to pass on the left.