What is the proposed minimum speed for the middle lane on a three-lane highway?

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The proposed minimum speed for the middle lane on a three-lane highway is 80 km/h.

A pilot project in Malaysia is currently testing the implementation of minimum advisory speed limits to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. This initiative, led by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), aims to address the issue of "lane hogging" by encouraging drivers to select lanes that align with their travel speed. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), PLUS Malaysia Berhad, and SKVE, and will run until October 31.
Minimum Speed Recommendations

The advisory speed limits are differentiated by lane usage to promote more efficient traffic movement. For the left lane, the recommendation is a minimum speed of 60 km/h, suitable for cruising or slower traffic. The middle lane has a proposed minimum speed of 80 km/h, though this can be adjusted to 60 km/h depending on the total number of lanes available on the highway. For the rightmost lane, which is intended for faster vehicles, the recommendation is a minimum speed of 100 km/h on highways with three to four lanes, and 80 km/h on two-lane expressways.
Pilot Project Locations and Objectives

The pilot project is being implemented across three specific locations to gather data on driver behaviour changes. These include sections of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) E1, the SKVE E26, and another section of the PLUS E2. The primary objective is to assess whether these advisory limits encourage drivers to adhere to more appropriate lane speeds, thereby reducing driver frustration and minimising bottlenecks caused by slow-moving vehicles in faster lanes. Miros will analyse the collected data to determine the effectiveness of the initiative before considering any nationwide expansion.
Advisory Nature of the Speeds

It is crucial to note that these proposed minimum speeds are advisory and not legally enforceable. Miros has emphasized that drivers must continue to exercise judgment and adjust their speed based on prevailing road and weather conditions. Specific circumstances, such as heavy rain, poor visibility, traffic congestion, accidents, road maintenance, or explicit instructions from authorities, necessitate deviations from the advisory limits. The overarching priority remains driver safety, with a reminder for motorists to always maintain a safe following distance.
International Precedents for Minimum Speed Limits

Malaysia's initiative is not without international precedent, as several countries have already implemented similar measures to enhance traffic efficiency. Germany, for instance, utilises minimum speed limits on sections of its Autobahn, typically around 60 km/h, to prevent slower vehicles from impeding faster traffic. In Japan, many expressways enforce a minimum speed of 50 km/h to improve flow and reduce the risk of rear-end collisions. Similarly, various states in the United States apply minimum speed limits in designated areas to prevent slow-moving vehicles from becoming hazards. Existing traffic laws and maximum speed limits continue to be enforced alongside these advisory measures.

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What is the proposed minimum speed for the middle lane on a three-lane highway?

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