Are we the only country that drives on the left?

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.

Is the US the only country to drive on the left?

In most of the world's countries, including the United States, people drive on the right-hand side of the road. But in some parts of the world, like the United Kingdom and Southern Asia, it's actually wrong to drive on the right!

What countries have driving on the left?

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.

Is England the only country to drive on the left?

Eventually, Britain dropped the idea. Today, only four European countries still drive on the left: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. On 7 September 2009 the Independent State of Samoa (not to be confused with American Samoa !) became the third country ever to change from right- to left-hand driving.

Does Japan drive on the left?

In Japan, vehicles usually drive on the left-hand side of the road. Be sure to obey any signs that indicate a speed limit. The legal speed limit is 60 km per hour on general roads and 100 km per hour on expressways.

Why some people drive on the right, and some on the left | Did You Know?

Does China drive on the left?

About two thirds of the countries in the world drive on the right including the USA, China and Russia. Canada used to drive on the left but changed to the right to make border crossings with the United States of America more manageable. The reasons for driving on different sides of the road are historical.

What side do Chinese drive on?

In mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Various neighbours such as Hong Kong, Macau, India, Nepal and Pakistan drive on the left.

Why do Americans drive on the right?

With the growth of traffic, the roadside ditches also led to a growing tendency in the United States in the late nineteenth century for drivers of light horse-drawn vehicles to both drive on the right and sit on the right to avoid the greater evil of the ditch.

Why do Japan drive on the left?

Overtime, Japan has built up a very large and very successful railway system, which is and has always been on the left-hand side. This precedent naturally led to building roads for cars that also drive on the left side.

Which is better driving on the left or right?

According to the company, left-hand driving greatly improves safety since the driver can easily spot incoming vehicles. At present, only four European countries use the left-hand driving system.

Does all of Africa drive on the left?

In the African continent you drive on the left in Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland (Eswatini), Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

Does Australia drive on the left?

These two countries later exported their driving styles to their respective colonies, which is why many former British territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left.

Why the UK drives on the left?

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.

Does Germany drive on the right?

You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license to legally drive in Germany. In Germany, drivers drive on the right and overtake on the left. When traffic is backed up and two or more lanes are going in the same direction, vehicles on the righthand side may overtake vehicles on the left.

Why do Europe drive on the right?

The subsequent Revolutionary wars and Napoleon's European conquests led to the spread of driving on the right to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Napoleon ordered his armies to use the right-hand side of the road in order to avoid congestion during military manoeuvres.

Is driving on the left safer?

Left Hand countries deliver safer driving

In left-hand traffic systems, the better-perfoming right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver's wing mirror. In right-hand traffic, the weaker left eye takes over. Plus, left-sided driving is safer for the elderly due to their failing visual abilities.

When did Britain start driving on the left?

The British Government refused to give up their left-hand driving ways, and in 1773 introduced the General Highways Act, which encouraged driving on the left. This was later made law thanks to The Highway Act of 1835.

Why did Sweden change to driving on the right?

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.

Does France drive on the right?

After the Middle Ages, European countries like France and England started to make their own choice about which side of the road to prefer. England was the first nation to pass an official rule, in 1773, which made driving on the left the law. France, on the other hand, chose to drive on the right.

Does Germany have left-hand traffic?

What side of the road does Germany drive on? Germany, like the rest of continental Europe, drives on the right-hand side. In Europe, only the British Isles and Gibraltar drive on the left-hand side.

Why do American drivers sit on the left?

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.

Does New Zealand drive on the right?

Driving in New Zealand

For example: we drive on the left-hand side of the road. it's easy to underestimate travelling times. our roads are narrower, more winding and sometimes steeper than you might expect.

Why does Japan eat KFC on Christmas?

A fried chicken Christmas dinner became a tradition in the 1970's thanks to a very successful Kentucky Fried Chicken ad campaign!! The manager of Japan's first KFC in the 70's was inspired to market KFC as a Christmas meal when he overheard some foreigners reminiscing on how they missed turkey dinner at Christmas.