In a metal, the drift velocity of the electrons that make up a current of a few amperes is typically

Explanation

Electrons drift extremely slowly because there are so many of them, roughly 10 to the 28 per cubic metre, so a small average velocity still delivers a large current. A lamp lights instantly not because the electrons travel fast but because the electric field is established along the wire at nearly the speed of light and sets them all moving at once. Their random thermal speeds are far higher than the drift speed.