What countries in the EU drive on the left?
Only four countries in Europe still drive on the left and they are all islands. They consist of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
When did Europe drive on the left?
The practice is believed to date back to ancient Rome. Romans steered their carts and chariots with the left hand, to free up the right so they could use weapons to defend against enemy attacks. This carried over into medieval Europe and in 1773, the British government passed measures to make left-hand traffic the law.
When did people start driving on the right side of the road?
It is said that in 1970 the ruler of the country at that time, General Ne Win, ordered everyone to start driving on the right side of the road, on the advice of a wizard.
What does it mean to drive on the left side of the road?
Conversely, driving on the left-hand side of the road usually implies that the driver’s seat is on the right-hand side of the car. It used to be different, though. All early automobiles in the USA (driving on the right-hand side of the road) were right-hand-drive, following the practice established by horse-drawn carriages.
Which is the right hand side of the road in Europe?
Remember most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road (the exceptions are: the UK, Irish Republic, Cyprus and Malta). This means that typically, you’ll be negotiating roundabouts in an anti-clockwise direction rather than clockwise!
When did the Dutch start driving on the left side?
Still, it took another half century till in 1924 left-side driving was clearly written in a law. When the Dutch arrived in Indonesia in 1596, they brought along their habit of driving on the left. It wasn’t until Napoleon conquered the Netherlands that the Dutch started driving on the right.
How many countries drive on the left side of the road?
There are 163 countries that drive on the right -hand side of the road. A total of 78 countries and territories drive on the left. About one-quarter of all of the world’s roads and about 35% of the world’s population drive on the road’s left side.
When did the UK start driving on the left side?
The first legislation to make traffic left-sided in the UK was made in 18th century in London. This law required that traffic on the London Bridge keep left. The Highway Act of 1835 made this law applicable in the British Empire.
Why did Henry Ford Drive on the left side of the road?
When cars were invented, Henry Ford was a big influence in American driving customs as he built his Model T with the driver on the left side of the car, meaning drivers would have to drive on the right side of the road so their passengers could exit the car on the curb and not into oncoming traffic.
Which is the left side of the car?
List of left- & right-driving countries. Almost always, in countries where one drives on the right-hand side of the road, the cars are built so that the driver sits on the left-hand side of the car. Conversely, driving on the left-hand side of the road usually implies that the driver’s seat is on the right-hand side of the car.