The English drive on the left due to an ancient tradition dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, when knights carried their sword on the right side and mounted on the left side to easily fight when needed.
Everything comes from the medieval era. At that time, knights, who were generally right-handed, preferred to travel on the left side of the roads to keep their right arm free and ready to defend themselves or attack an opponent coming from the opposite direction. It seemed both logical, safe, and strategic. Then, this habit became widespread. Over time, it became a sort of informal standard, firmly rooted in British traditions, long before the advent of the car. People naturally did it this way, and no one questioned it for a very long time.
In the Middle Ages, driving on the left was a matter of safety. Most people, whether horsemen or coachmen, being right-handed, riding on the left side of the road allowed them to free their right hand to draw a weapon or greet someone easily. This was practical in troubled times when an encounter could quickly escalate into a confrontation! When horse-drawn vehicles became popular, coachmen often positioned themselves on the right side of the seat to handle the whip without harming their passengers. Driving on the left gave them better visibility at intersections and helped avoid collisions or accidents. These habits, deeply ingrained, persisted in England while in other regions, some gradually adopted driving on the right.
When the British established their colonies all over the world, they naturally imposed their left-hand traffic system. As a result, even today, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and several countries in Africa or the Caribbean still drive on the left. In contrast, other former colonies, such as Canada or the United States, eventually adopted right-hand driving under the influence of their neighbors or new trade partners. What is important to remember is that it is primarily the British colonial legacy that explains why some countries drive on the left today.
The British are adamant about their left-hand driving, even after many other countries adopted right-hand driving in the early 20th century. In the 1960s, several debates took place about a possible change, but the enormous cost and the extremely complicated logistics quickly cooled the politicians' enthusiasm. The United Kingdom already had modern roads, signs, and interchanges designed entirely around this direction of traffic. This meant completely rethinking many existing infrastructures, which guaranteed a staggering expense. Not to mention that for most Britons, driving on the left has become a matter of national identity and a symbol of independence against foreign norms.
The fact that driving on the left continues to be the norm forces car manufacturers to produce vehicles with specific driving positions for the affected countries, especially the United Kingdom. For travelers, tourists coming from mainland Europe or the United States must adapt to reversed driving, which can lead to confusion, stress, and sometimes increase the risk of accidents. For the British themselves, traveling abroad imposes the same challenges in the opposite direction. Another consequence is that maintaining this peculiarity slows down the standardization of European road infrastructures, slightly complicating the international transport of goods. Finally, this uniqueness also generates additional costs for car manufacturers and insurance companies, costs that are indirectly passed on to consumers.
Japan drives on the left even though it was never colonized by the United Kingdom. The origin of this choice is linked to British influence in the construction of the country's first railways in the 19th century.
In the United States and Canada, some of the earliest horse-drawn vehicles initially traveled on the left side of the road, influenced by English traditions. Driving on the right gradually became established, particularly for practical reasons related to the agricultural carts used in the 18th century.
In 1967, Sweden underwent a complete change of driving direction, switching from left to right. This day, known as Dagen H ("H Day"), required extensive preparation and remains a famous example of a radical change in road traffic.
Although it drives on the right today, France long drove on the left under the Ancien Régime. It was Napoleon who permanently established driving on the right, notably to distinguish itself from British practices.
The main challenge is managing intersections and roundabouts, as the habits and reflexes developed while driving on the right do not directly apply in the UK. Increased caution is therefore necessary, especially during the first few days.
Many European countries, which once drove on the left, have gradually adopted right-hand driving to better align with their neighbors, facilitate trade interactions, and simplify the import of vehicles from neighboring countries.
Historically, driving on the left allowed riders, predominantly right-handed, to quickly draw their sword in case of danger. It also facilitated greetings and social interactions on the road during crossings.
Driving a British car (with the steering wheel on the right) on European roads can be an initial challenge, especially for overtaking and tolls. However, with a bit of adaptation and vigilance, it is completely doable for most drivers.
About one third of the countries in the world drive on the left, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and India. Most of these countries are former British colonies or have experienced historical British influence.
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