Who drives 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.

Which countries drive on the left?

Who drives on the left and why?

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.

Why does 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.

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 the British drive on the left?

Did France ever drive on the left?

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.

Why did the US decide to drive on the right?

New York, in 1804, became the first State to prescribe right hand travel on all public highways. By the Civil War, right hand travel was followed in every State. Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn't run into a roadside ditch.

Why do British drive on 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.

Why do Indians drive on the left?

This is because, when the country decided to build their national railway system, they used the expertise of British railway engineers, who decided to stick to driving on left-handed tracks just like they did back home. This was transferred to the roads as well later on.

Why do British drive on the right?

Driving on the right became synonymous with democracy and Napoleon's conquests throughout Europe. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Poland and Germany have all been firm supporters of right-hand traffic ever since. Left-hand traffic only managed to keep its stronghold in the British colonies.

What countries drive on the right?

Is America the only country that drives on the right side?

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.

Why driving on the left is better?

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.

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.

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.

Did America ever drive on the left?

In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving.

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.

Which is safer left or right driving?

TIL Left side driving is safer than right side driving, because, according to the studies, oncoming traffic and driver's mirror are on the dominant right hand/eye for most people.

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.

Why does Jamaica drive on the left?

There is also a very low BAC limit in Jamaica, so even one drink is likely to take you over the legal limit. Drive on the left side of the road: In Jamaica, you are required to drive on the left side of the road, so timid drivers, or those unused to such procedure, should be warned in advance before renting a vehicle.

When did Sweden change to driving on the right?

Swedes began cautiously driving on the right-hand side of roads around the country at precisely 5am on 3 September 1967, following a radio countdown.

When did Canada stop driving 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.

When did the US start driving on the right?

The first keep-right law for driving in the United States was passed in 1792 and applied to the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike. Massachusetts formalized RHT in 1821. However, the National Road was LHT until 1850, "long after the rest of the country had settled on the keep-right convention".

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.