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Then there is the person in the left lane that is going to make a left hand turn ...... which won't happen for another three, maybe even five miles. DUH!

test theory

The left has an arbitrary speed limit, that is: the speed at which the cars are going in that lane. I am from California, and I drive about 70 miles when no cars are available. But when there are cars, I go 80.

Driving too slow in the left lane would certainly start a fight in New York or New Jersey. Might get ya shot in Tennessee. In such places your car should be able to do at least 90 if not 3 digits in the 'passing' lane.