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Why do different countries have different driving side?

Why do different countries have different driving side?

Traffic shifted to the right so drivers could easily avoid collisions. Eventually, with the rise of the automobile and increase in global traffic, many countries switched to the right to fit in with neighbors — including Samoa, which just switched from the left in 2009.

Why in some countries the steering wheel is on the right?

In general, countries that adopt right-hand driving are formerly or currently British colonies. There used to be a practical reason behind this. When sword fighters and knights were still common in English feudalism, swordsmen who were right-handed preferred to use the ‘left side of the road’.

Why are steering wheels on the opposite side in other countries?

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As most people are right-handed, most teamsters would need the whip in their right hand — so it made more sense to sit on the left-hand horse. And with most drivers sitting on the left-hand side of their rides, it made sense to arrange traffic so that vehicles would ride on the right-hand side of the road.

Why do the French drive on the right?

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. All of a sudden, being rich and ostentatious was asking for trouble, so the aristocrats did their best to blend in with the poor on the right side of the road.

Why do UK drive on the left?

As most people are right-handed, the driver would sit to the right of the seat so his whip hand was free. 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. Today, only 35\% of countries drive on the left.

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Why does India drive on right side?

Britain for instance followed the Roman convention, of preferring to direct traffic (horse carriages) on the left-hand side of the road. And they spread this ethos to all their former colonies. So the likes of India, New Zealand and Australia have their steering systems set up on the right.

Why is England driving on the left side of the road?

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.