<P> A passing lane (North American English) or overtaking lane (English) is the lane on a multi-lane highway or motorway closest to the median of the road (the central reservation). In some countries, lanes are described as being on the' inside' or the' outside' of a road - which one the passing lane is varies . </P> <P> In modern traffic planning, passing lanes on freeways are usually designed for through / express traffic, while the lanes furthest from the median of the road have entry / exit ramps . However due to routing constraints, some freeways may have ramps exiting from the passing lane; these are known as "left exits" in North America . </P>

On a highway which is the inside lane