Why does the United Kingdom drive on the left side of the road?
Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire. Today, only 35% of countries drive on the left.
Are there any countries that drive on the left side of the road?
The vast majority of countries around the world drive on the right side of the road, with a few holdouts including Japan, Great Britain, Australia, and India in which traffic drives on the left. Great Britain is one of the few countries where cars travel on the left side of the road.
What’s the reason behind right-hand driving in some countries?
In normal conversation, it’ll be a car that ” drives on the left .” On the other hand, a left-hand drive vehicle drives on the ” right side of the road “, or right-hand traffic (RHT). It will be a car that ” drives on the right .” Interestingly, the Philippines was once a left-hand driving country under American rule.
Why do some people drive on the left and some on the right?
Just as important, if you wanted to pass a wagon in front of you, or at least see further down the road when you are sitting on the left side, it is much easier done if you are using the keep-right rule; this would give you much greater visibility of oncoming traffic when sitting on the left of your wagon.
Why did the British drive on the right side of the road?
So The British were a minority in shaping the ‘traffic’. The drive-on-the-right policy was adopted by the USA, which was anxious to cast off all remaining links with its British colonial past. Once America drove on the right, left-side driving was ultimately doomed.
Why do Americans drive on the right side of the road?
Americans switched to driving on the right because on covered wagons, the brakes were built on the left, forcing the driver to sit on that same side and, consequently, to drive on the right so they could have a clear view of the road.
What countries drive on the right side?
The vast majority of countries around the world drive on the right side of the road, with a few holdouts including Japan, Great Britain, Australia, and India in which traffic drives on the left.
How many countries drive on right side?
Number of countries drive on the right-hand side of the road: 165 countries and territories. Number of countries drive on the left-hand side of the road: 75 countries and territories.
Why do the English Drive on the left?
The real reason for the British driving on the left is that the French drive on the right! Of course the other reason is that in 1939/1940 Britain was not invaded, Czechoslovakia and Holland drove on the left but were forced to change, they never bothered to change back in 1945. It is interesting to note that in Indonesia, an ex Dutch colony ,…