Ep. 6 - Is the Left Lane the "Right" Lane - Choosing the Correct Lane

"Which Lane is the Right Lane? (A DOTE Initiative)"

🚗 Are you in the right lane—or just the left one? Every driver has an opinion, but lane discipline is more than just personal preference. It’s one of the biggest factors in keeping traffic moving. Whether you’re cruising on a multi-lane freeway, navigating an interchange, or choosing a surface street lane, your lane choice impacts congestion, safety, and the overall flow of traffic more than you might think.

In this episode of Mastering the Commute, we’re tackling lane discipline—and how smarter lane choices can make a bigger difference than any billion-dollar road expansion. Today, we break down:

✅ Why the left lane is for passing—not cruising
✅ How slow drivers in the wrong lane make traffic worse
✅ Why lane discipline prevents unnecessary braking and merging delays
✅ How to pick the correct lane for smoother, faster, and safer driving

📢 Don’t be a lane hog—drive with awareness!
Most drivers don’t even realize they’re in the wrong lane, and that small mistake can cause ripple effects for miles. By choosing the right lane based on road type, speed, and traffic flow, we can make daily commutes smoother without needing to add a single inch of pavement.

🎧 Listen now to learn how you can help fix traffic—one lane at a time.

💬 What’s your biggest lane pet peeve? Let me know in the comments or at DriveSmarterNow.com.

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🚗💨 Drive smart. Keep the flow moving. Make the road better—one drive at a time.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction: DOTE and Lane Choice
• 0:38 Show Introduction: Randy Keith
• 1:40 Choosing the Correct Lane
• 2:18 Male/Female Lane Preferences
• 2:47 Interchanges and Turn Signals
• 3:22 Slow Drivers in the Fast Lane
• 3:54 My "Keep Right" Story on I-70
• 4:27 Let Tailgaters Go - and When In Doubt Move to the Right
• 5:05 Lane Choice Summary
• 5:41 Closing and Promo for Episode 7 - DOTE

Transcript

Episode Title: “Which Lane is the Right Lane? (A DOTE Initiative)”

(Navigating Lanes for a Smoother, Smarter Commute)

You’ve heard of DOGE, right? Well, today I’m launching a new initiative—something every driver can get behind: The Department of Traffic Efficiency. DOTE.

Because while people argue over government spending, one thing we can all agree on is that throwing money at more freeways doesn’t fix congestion. The solution is already in our hands—literally—at the wheel.

Today, we’re talking about lane discipline and how choosing the right lane isn’t just about speed—it’s about keeping traffic flowing for everyone.

[:31 Opening Bumper - Introductions from News hosts Linda Nunez, Tom Haule and Dave Zorn and traffic reporters Steve Cusack, Larry Barajas and Jim Thornton - from KNX archives c. 2000]

Introduction [:38]

Welcome back to Mastering the Commute, I’m your host Randy Keith. Today we’re answering a simple but important question:

Which lane is the right lane?

And before we get into wordplay—no, the "left lane" is not the right lane, and the “right lane” is not always the correct one. So, for clarity, when I say “right lane” today, I mean the correct lane choice for the situation.

[Stinger]

Have you ever been stuck behind someone going under the speed limit in the left lane? Or maybe you’ve found yourself weaving through traffic, trying to pick the fastest lane—only to realize the lane you just left is suddenly moving faster?

Today we’re breaking down how to pick the correct lane for any situation. This is a big one, because choosing the correct lane might be the easiest way to improve traffic flow on a daily basis.

[1:32- Stinger]

Key Point 1: The Best Lane Depends on the Road You’re On 
<One of the biggest mistakes drivers make is assuming the left lane is always the fastest. That’s not always true—especially during peak traffic times>.

Choosing the right lane isn’t just about speed—it’s about efficiency, safety, and understanding how traffic actually flows. And the reality is, most people are in the wrong lane more often than they think.

🚗 If there are only two lanes:
✔️ The right lane is for slower-moving traffic and merging.
✔️ The left lane is for passing—but if traffic is heavy, it can clog quickly.

[1:56] 🚙 If there are three or more lanes:
✔️ The right lane is best for exits and casual driving.
✔️ The middle lane is usually the most consistent for long-distance travel.
✔️ The left lane should be used for passing—not cruising (and it usually moves 10-15 mph faster than the other lanes, on average, across the US).

[2:18] Your lane choice should be intentional. Personally, I like the middle or right lane because I can manage my space better. I don’t like to speed anymore—just a comfortable 4-5 mph over the limit.

[2:36] My wife? She prefers the left lane because she only has to watch her right mirror closely, since there’s an open shoulder on the left. And she doesn’t mind passing trucks or keeping pace with traffic.

[2:47] ➡️ Interchanges Matter!
When approaching an interchange, read signs early. They tell you which lanes are through lanes and which are exit-only. Google Maps and similar apps show lane guidance, so pay attention and make smooth adjustments.

[3:03] Surface Streets Apply Too!
<The lane you pick should depend on where you’re going> Ever get stuck behind someone who moved into the left lane too early for a turn? It causes slowdowns and frustration.

[3:12] 🚨 One More Thing: Use your turn signal EVERY SINGLE time you make a lane change. Another topic for another episode. Not most of the time—all the time.

[3:22] Sound effect: Quick honk]

Key Point 2: Slow Drivers in the Left Lane Create Dangerous Situations

If I had to pick the #1 complaint I hear from drivers, it’s slow drivers in the left lane.

People say: "I’m going the speed limit—why should I move?" But here’s the problem: Speed differentials create traffic disruptions.

[3:49]🚦 What Happens When a Slow Car Stays in the Left Lane?
✔️ It forces faster drivers to pass on the right, increasing lane changes and accident risk.
✔️ It creates unpredictable speed shifts, leading to phantom jams.
✔️ It causes road rage, turning normal drivers into aggressive ones.

,🏁 The Fix? Keep Right Unless You’re Passing..
[3:54] Most states have "Keep Right" laws. But even where it’s not enforced, it’s just common sense.

I learned this lesson the hard way at age 28, driving through Kansas on I-70. A cop pulled me over for going 73 in a 70. I had no idea why he stopped me. Then he told me—"You're camping in the left lane. Move over." That was my wake-up call to stay out of that last (left)lane if I’m not going 10-15 mph over the speed limit, or directly passing someone..

[4:27] If someone is coming up behind you and wants to go faster—even if they’re speeding—it’s safer to move over than to try and regulate their speed.

[4:33] Sound effect:]

Final Thought & Call to Action

🚗 Choose the right lane based on the road type—not just what feels fastest.
🚦 If you’re in the left lane and someone is behind you, move over—you’re creating more problems than you think.
🔄 Stay in a lane that moves consistently—not one that forces constant braking and lane changes.

Next time you’re on the freeway, pay attention to your lane choice. It makes a huge difference.

[4:50] 💬 Got a pet peeve about lane discipline? Let me know at DriveSmarterNow.com or hit me up on social media, @masteringthecommute on Facebook and Youtube, or you can always e-mail me directly, freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com!

[5:04] Housekeeping and branding note, We are now titled, “Mastering the Commute: Your 6 Minute Traffic Fix,” a play on the “traffic eVery 6 Minutes” tagline on the station I covered most of my airtime, KNX… And hopefully you’ll find it useful and efficient to expect the same, possibly bingeworthy short episodes of traffic insight and driving tips.

[5:30-] Next week , assuming it’s still timely in the news cycle, I’ll make my case for Randy Keith’s DOTE—Department of Traffic Efficiency - and seriously - why you have more power to improve traffic flow than your city, state or country does.

[5:49 Tagline and Outro] Until then, 

Drive safe, Drive Smart, 

Lead by example take these tips to heart

Pay attention, read the signs 

Make the road better, one drive at a time.