Why the buffer zone between HOV lane and the lane next to it?

This.

It has happened with me several times when I have moved into the HOV lane and very soon found myself behind an idiot driving 90 kmph and I can see cars zooming by on my right at 130kmph. And now I can’t even get out of this lane until I reach one those lengths where I am allowed to change and they can be at great intervals sometimes.