US Traffic Laws
April 17th, 2007 by 
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Loading ...The last two weeks I have been on a trip to the US East Coast and have not updated my blog as much as I wanted.
Anyhow, just a short note and query. I am sure American drivers will know what to advise me on this one. I was with some friends driving through the US freeway, which has a speed limit of 65 mph. At any rate, they said that I could go as fast as 65-70 mph legally which I did. But they also asked me to do something which I did not quite comprehend. They say the innermost lane is supposedly a fast lane, and is to be used only when you overtake cars. So I should not be in that lane constantly.
But if I am going to already as fast as the limit allows me, should I still allow or expect other cars to overtake me?
So, if I am going almost 70 mph in a 65 mph speed limit zone, do I have the right to drive in the innermost lane all the way?
April 17th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
No. You cannot legally remain in the “passing” lane no matter what your speed (at least in my State). Most places in the U.S. are not as strict with the “drive right” rule as I have seen in Europe, but it is generally the rule and the law.
You can’t legally drive 70 in a 65 zone either, but you are unlikely to be cited for doing so.
April 18th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Hi Engineer,
Thanks for that. Would anybody know what is the basis or reason for the ‘drive right’ rule?
April 21st, 2007 at 1:06 am
Hi Wilson,
The reason is simple, it allows for emergency use so they can quickly pass, or just people who need/want to pass. The basis is that all traffic should only pass on the left, this keeps a uniform flow of traffic. As an American driving in Cebu, it is often irritating to me to find slow moving vehicles (e.g., Tricycles) in what I would deem the “fast lane”, and then be forced to the outside (right) lane to pass them.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:36 am
No ( & yes) you should remain in the lane next to the inner most lane except when passing but it’s a good question. And many American drivers remain in the fast passing only lane because yes they are constantly passing any vehicles ahead of them.