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.

When did Europe start driving on the right?

Gradually the right-hand traffic was adopted in most countries: Belgium introduced it in 1899, Portugal in 1928, Spain in 1930, and Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938. The kingdom of Sweden — not until 1967. It became the last state in continental Europe where left-hand traffic persisted.

Why does Britain drive on the left and Europe 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.

Why does France drive on the right?

When horses and carriages were first cruising through France, peasants and the poor ducked to the right side of the road while the aristocrats plowed through on the left. This two-side-of-the-road world order continued until, well, you guessed it, the French Revolutionary War.

Why do British drive right side?

This seating position was to allow the rider to hold his whip in his right hand. The left-seated position meant that he could also more easily judge passing wagons. He could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons and avoid damaging his horses – he did that by passing on the right hand side.

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

Why do Japanese drive on 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.

Why did the British decide to drive 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.

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.

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 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.

Is it safer to drive on the left or right?

It has been noticed that countries that drive on the left side of the road have considerably fewer traffic accidents and fatalities than those that drive on the right side of the road. A study performed in 1969 by J.J.

Why does Australia drive on the left?

People in Australia drive on the left because the country is made up of former British colonies, and the UK drives on the left. American and European visitors will have to get used to right hand drive vehicles. In Australia, people drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Why do American cars have steering wheel on left?

In the early 20th century, the steering wheel began to appear increasingly on the left. This was a natural progression: it enables those who are driving on the right to better gauge how to pass an oncoming car safely, and it also makes it easier for passengers to board from the pavement.

Did Sweden ever drive on the left?

That's the day, September 3, 1967, that Swedes switched from driving on the left side of the road to driving on the right side. Most cars in Sweden already had their steering wheels on the left side, anyway, so the change made turning and passing much safer for everyone.

Why did Sweden changed from driving 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.

When did France switch to left-hand drive?

It enshrined in law the rule of driving on the right-hand side of the road, although the country very nearly chose “English-style” left. France's first official highway code is 100 years old today, having been published on May 27, 1921.

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.

Do they drive on the left in Australia?

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 does Korea drive on the right?

Korea now drives right, but only because it passed directly from Japanese colonial rule to American and Russian influence at the end of the Second World War. Pakistan also considered changing to the right in the 1960s, but ultimately decided not to do it.

Does Canada drive on the left?

Re: Which Side of the road do you drive in Canada? Yes, in Canada the steering wheel is on the left, and we drive on the right.

Why some countries 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.

Does Italy drive on the left?

What side of the road do they drive on in Italy? Unlike in the UK, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road in Italy and overtake on the left – which can take some adjustment if you're used to driving on the left.

When did Sweden switch 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.

Is USA left hand drive?

As you can see, most former British colonies, with some exceptions, drive on the left side of the road, whereas the United States of America, Latin American countries and European countries drive on the right.

Is it hard to drive on the left?

If you're used to driving on the right side of the road, it can be hard to adjust to driving a car on the left side of the road, but you can get more comfortable. To ensure you're safe as you get used to the feeling, practice in a quiet, rural location without a lot of traffic.