It might seem bizarre that U.K. drivers stay on the left, but they’re not the only ones. Around 35 percent of the world population does the same, including people in Ireland, Japan, and some Caribbean islands.
Does any other country drive on the right?
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 countries have drive on the right?
Still, there are some countries that want to maintain their right-hand driving tradition — particularly the U.K. Other countries that also practice it include:
- Thailand.
- South Africa.
- Singapore.
- New Zealand.
- Malta.
- Malaysia.
- Kenya.
- Japan.
Is the UK the only country where people drive on the left?
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.
What countries drive on same side as UK?
Many former British colonies in the region have always been LHT, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu; and nations that were previously administered by Australia: Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Why do American drivers sit on the left?
Things changed in the late 1700s when large wagons pulled by several pairs of horses were used to transport farm products in France and the United States. In the absence of a driver’s seat inside the wagon, the driver sat on the rear left horse, with his right arm free to use his whip to keep the horses moving.
Why do Japanese drive on left?
In essence, driving on the left has little to do with cars. Quite the contrary, it’s all for the convenience of the samurai and Japanese road usage logic. You see, at the time of the samurai, city streets and footpaths were quite narrow. In addition, most samurai were right-handed and wore their katana on the left.
Why do UK 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.
What country is the easiest to drive in?
The Easiest Countries to Learn to Drive
- 1: Mexico – Learn to Drive Score, 9.48/10.
- 2: Qatar – Learn to Drive Score, 7.39/10.
- 3: Latvia – Learn to Drive Score, 7.03/10.
- 4: United States – Learn to Drive Score, 6.95/10.
- 5: Canada – Learn to Drive Score, 6.93/10.
- 1: Croatia – Learn to Drive Score, 1.96/10.
Why do Americans 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.
Did France 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 is driving on the left 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.
Which country changed driving on the left?
It was a normal Sunday in September 1967 in Sweden, except that every driver on the road was about to have to change the way he or she did things. At 5 a.m., traffic switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right.
Does China drive on the left or right?
right-hand
Laws. 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.
Which side do Japanese drive on?
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.
When did France change to driving on the right?
The 1921 code was also the first time that the rule of driving on the right was officially enshrined in law in France.
Is it hard to drive in the UK?
It’s not the hardest adjustment to make and if you’re focused then you’re going to be just fine driving in the UK. However, some roads are harder than others and when faced with cyclists, pedestrians, and traffic, your instincts get a little twisted due to being on the left side of the road.
Who changed the driving from left to right?
Canada stayed on the left until the 1920s. During the American War of Independence, French liberal reformer General Lafayette gave advice to the revolutionary forces and spread the idea of driving on the right.
Why do race drivers brake with their left foot?
Advantages of Left-Foot Braking
That’s because in a race, even the tiniest time difference can matter. And it takes a driver less time to apply the brakes if their left foot is hovering over the pedal than it does to move their right foot from the accelerator to the brake. Then there’s the matter of smoothness.
Do German drive on the left?
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.
What age can you drive in Japan?
18 years
Roads and rules
Cars drive on the left side of the road and have the driver’s seat and steering wheel on their right side. The legal minimum age for driving is 18 years. Drinking and driving is prohibited. Road signs and rules follow international standards, and most signs on major roads are in Japanese and English.