| The California fast-vs-passing lane pattern also emerges due to two
things that California requires that other US states tend not to require:
semi-trucks must go slower and keep right. From the handbook cited above, or see also signage on many CA highways:
The maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. You may
drive 70 mph where posted. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum
speed limit is 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles
towing trailers. ...
When you tow a vehicle or trailer, or drive a bus or three or more axle
truck, you must drive in the right hand lane or in a lane specially
marked for slower vehicles. [emphases added] On divided highways of 2 or 3 lanes in each direction, such as I-5 in
the Central Valley, these requirements strongly separate traffic into 2 sets -
semi-trucks doing 55-ish in the right lane, and non-trucks doing 65-70-ish
in the "fast" lane. (okay, yes, 85-ish, except in Kern County). The results are that 1) over-the-road truckers dislike driving in CA,
and 2) CA non-truck drivers quickly learn to avoid the right lane. The other 49 US states tend to have more of a "keep right except to
pass" pattern, depending of course on other local variations,
especially population density, traffic volume, and similar. Source: someone who drives (and tows) in 18+ states per year. |