When driving on a highway, you may encounter an overtaking lane, also known as a passing lane, a fast lane, or an acceleration lane. This lane is designed for drivers to pass other vehicles safely. It is typically identified by road markings and may be located on the left or right side of the road, depending on the country. In some places, it is called a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane or a carpool lane, reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers. Regardless of its name, the purpose of the overtaking lane is to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, making the journey faster and smoother for all drivers.