For some drivers, the terms "lane" and "path" often sound similar. In fact, both have different meanings and are very important to understand so that you don't make mistakes when driving.

Lane = Direction of Travel

The lane refers to the side or direction of the road that is determined based on the direction the vehicle is traveling. For example, on a highway there are usually left and right lanes, separated by road markings. These lanes separate opposing vehicle flows - one northbound, the other southbound. So, if you enter the wrong lane, you could end up directly facing a vehicle from the opposite direction.

Path = Section within the Lane

A path is a section within a lane that is used by vehicles traveling in the same direction. Imagine you're on the highway, there are usually several parallel paths. The left path is usually for vehicles that are traveling slowly, while the right path is for those who want to overtake. So even though they are both in the same direction, each path has its own function.

By knowing the difference between lanes and paths, you can be more disciplined when choosing the position of your vehicle on the road. This can help you avoid common mistakes, such as entering the lane in the opposite direction or driving in the fast lane even though you don't want to go fast. In addition to safety, you will also contribute to maintaining traffic order, including on neighborhood streets.

Indonesia

Buat sebagian pengemudi, istilah “jalur” dan “lajur” sering kedengaran mirip. Padahal, keduanya punya arti yang berbeda dan penting banget dipahami biar kamu nggak salah saat berkendara.

Jalur = Arah Perjalanan

Jalur itu mengacu pada sisi atau arah jalan yang ditentukan berdasarkan arah kendaraan melaju. Misalnya, di jalan raya biasanya ada jalur kiri dan kanan, yang dipisahkan marka jalan. Nah, jalur ini memisahkan arus kendaraan yang saling berlawanan – satu ke arah utara, satu lagi ke selatan. Jadi, kalau kamu masuk jalur yang salah, bisa-bisa malah berhadapan langsung dengan kendaraan dari arah berlawanan.

Lajur = Bagian di Dalam Jalur

Sementara lajur adalah bagian di dalam satu jalur yang digunakan kendaraan ke arah yang sama. Bayangkan kamu lagi di jalan tol, biasanya ada beberapa lajur sejajar. Lajur kiri biasanya buat kendaraan yang jalan santai atau lambat, sedangkan lajur kanan buat yang mau nyalip. Jadi meskipun sama-sama searah, setiap lajur punya fungsi masing-masing.

Dengan tahu perbedaan jalur dan lajur, kamu bisa lebih disiplin saat memilih posisi kendaraan di jalan. Ini bisa bantu kamu terhindar dari kesalahan umum, seperti masuk jalur lawan arah atau nyelonong di lajur cepat padahal ngebut pun ogah. Selain demi keselamatan, kamu juga ikut berkontribusi menjaga ketertiban lalu lintas, termasuk di jalan-jalan lingkungan tempat tinggal.