this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024
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Highways in my region (western USA) are not always designed with separate exit lanes. Often the right lane we've been happily traveling down suddenly becomes "Exit Only" and anyone not exiting must move to the middle lane. The lane will be replenished after the exit, sometimes miles down the road, but will often go Exit Only again. And again.
Staying in the right-hand lane is literally impossible in certain freeways in North America. Other areas of North America are similar to what you're used to with exit lanes being created for the purpose of exiting and entering so commuters can stay in the right-hand lane but it isn't everywhere.
The law says you should keep as far right as possible. This doesn't mean at all cost, if the right lane is completely occupied you're allowed to drive in the middle or even left lane (if the middle is also occupied). This often happens during rush hour.
Unnecessarily driving in the left lane is the #3 most irritating thing in traffic, according to surveys, with tailgating at #1 and phone use while driving at #2. You're not only blocking those behind you, but everyone on the lanes to your right as well. (Overtaking on the right carries an even heftier fine than not driving in the rightmost possible lane).
I didn't say the alternative was left lane driving or condoned left lane camping. Your response to the other person sounded like you were only used to one type of freeway/highway configuration.
I am pointing out your experience may be a bit local to your area and middle lane driving for through traffic (also called commuter traffic sometimes) is the safest option that minimizes risky lane changes on some roads. But this does contradict the edict of staying in the right-most lane which is different from keeping-right-except-to-pass I think.