[pendy]

There is a simple answer. Most motorways in France are toll roads, and have only two lanes. So why does the traffic move better? - Simple. You drive in the inside line. You use the outside lane ONLY for overtaking. If you stay in the outer lane, you risk an on the spot fine, which is quite hefty. So, all traffic is in the inside lane, leaving the outer one free, so you can always overtake. The only exception is that on some hills they have a slow lane for lorries.

If people only used the motorway properly, half the congestion would be wiped out. You drive in the driving lane, i.e. the inside. You use the two outer lanes ONLY to overtake.

Very simple, and with the added advantage that it doesn't cost anything!