Right HAND lane

[Chopper Girl]

I'm not sure where I've picked up this habit, but I usually say "right/left HAND lane" when I'm talking about traffic.

Do you know where this comes from?

Is this bad English? It seems to be very common, but that doesn't mean it's correct.

[Chopper Girl]

When in doubt, check the dictionary:

From Webster's:

RIGHT-HAND: adj. being on or directed toward the right

From an older Webster's:

RIGHT HAND, a. Situated on the right hand, or in a direction from the right side

[Ouisch]

Since "right" can also mean "correct" or "proper," right hand is often used to indicate a direction.

[rewboss]

In the film Clockwise, the protagonist, Mr Stimpson, drives (haha!) several people to distraction when trying to give directions. A bit like this:

"Right. We go left here, right?"
"Left?"
"Right."
"Oh, right then."
"Yes. NO! LEFT!"
"But you said right!"

(and so on)

[Doris]

I know that movie! It's very funny!
Doris