Who started driving on the left side of the road?
Most of the world drives on the right side of the road. But around 76 countries and territories use left-hand traffic. 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.
When did steering wheels move to the left?
1908
The first model with the left steering wheel and the correct driver’s seat was the 1908 Ford T. Europeans who produced affordable cars also switched to left-hand driving, but manufacturers of high-speed cars kept the rule of right-hand driving.
Did Germany ever drive on the left?
They continued to drive on the left until they were annexed by Germany in WWII, at which point they were forced to drive on the right like the rest of Europe.
Who has left hand traffic?
Most areas of the world which were formerly British colonies still drive on the left hand side of the road including Australia, the Caribbean, India and South Africa. Japan also drives on the left. Europe generally drives on the right hand side apart from Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.
Why does England drive on the left side of the road?
Have you ever wondered why the British drive on the left? There is an historical reason for this; it’s all to do with keeping your sword hand free! Most people are right-handed, so if a stranger passed by on the right of you, your right hand would be free to use your sword if required.
Why do the Japanese drive on the left?
Following Japan’s defeat during World War II, the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa came under American rule, which meant that the island was required to drive on the right. In 1978 once the area was returned to Japan, the drivers also returned to the left side of the road.
Did the US ever drive on the left?
Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving. Such vehicles remained in common use until 1915, and the 1908 Model T was the first of Ford’s cars to feature a left-side driving position.
Why did America change to left-hand drive?
American cars were designed to be driven on the right by locating the drivers’ controls on the vehicle’s left side. With the mass production of reliable and economical cars in the United States, initial exports used the same design, and out of necessity many countries changed their rule of the road.
Did Canada ever drive on the left?
Canada abandoned the left side of the road in the 1920s to facilitate traffic to and from the United States. In 1967, meanwhile, the government of Sweden spent around $120 million preparing its citizens to begin driving on the right.
Why did Sweden drive on the left?
Sweden initiated the driving change in part because its neighbors already drove on the right side of the road. Many members of the Swedish parliament also argued that the left-hand vehicles Swedes drove had caused too many head-on collisions.
What country drives on the left side of the road?
The bulk of countries that drive on the left are former British colonies including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. 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.
What is the world’s most populous country that drives on the left?
India
India. While smaller than Australia in area at 1.27 million square miles, India’s population is significantly higher at 1.37 billion, which makes it the largest left-driving country in the world by population.
What do you mean by left and right hand traffic?
The terms left-hand traffic (LHT) and right-hand traffic (RHT) refer to the practice, in bidirectional traffic, to keep to the left side or to the right side of the road, respectively. A fundamental element to traffic flow, it is sometimes referred to as the rule of the road.
How did left hand traffic spread across the world?
As a result, England began to determine the spread of left-hand traffic across the planet. First of all we are talking about its overseas colonies: India, Australia and others. In Japan, left-hand traffic was accepted when British engineers built the first railroad there.
How did the right hand drive come about?
History of Right-Hand Driving. Then how did right-hand driving come about? It is thought to have originated during the French revolution. The renowned Napoleon Bonaparte was left handed and so he would order his troops to stay on the right side of the road so as to have his left hand free for attack.
Do you use left or right hand traffic in Russia?
However, in the European part of Russia 99% of cars are with left-hand drive, valid for right-hand traffic. The main rule of right-hand traffic is the need to hold on to the right side, and the left-hand — to the left.