Why does the lane furthest from the interchange come to a stop first?

Question

On an expressway or interstate, when traffic starts to get heavy, it is always the lane furthest from the on and off ramps that slows first and then stops. Is there an explanation for this phenomena?

Answer 1

This is not just a theory, but a fact....because of the fast paced world that we live in now people travel at greater speeds than are legal and safe. And because of this fact, people entering on the right side of the freeway slow people down and the only place for traffic to move is out of their way, to the left...causing everyone in the next lane to slow down or move over. Ultimately ending up in the ditch or in the left lane.