How to convert the UK to LHD
Discussion
I have been wondering of late whether it would be a good idea for the UK to become LHD.
The downside would be the obvious disruption while we turn all the signs and road markings around and the 5-10 year period where people switch from RHD cars to LHD. And even then we would still be left with many RHD cars whose values will drop dramatically.
On the plus-side, we will be part of a much bigger market and have a greater choice of where we buy our cars from. Also, many RHD cars are comprimised somewhat because (and correct me if I'm wrong!) most cars are usually designed in LHD and then the RHD versions are engineered. This should bring purchase costs down slightly since manufacturers don't have to build separate tooling for RHD.
Realistically, this will never happen since the benefits are too far into the future and government policy is inherently short-term. Also, there are still many RHD countries around the world so manufacturers will still have to RHD cars.
But if we WERE to do this, how would we start? What would be the big difficulties? I know it has been done in the past (some small country in the Caribbean, IIRC) but doing it in the UK would clearly be on a whole other scale!
The downside would be the obvious disruption while we turn all the signs and road markings around and the 5-10 year period where people switch from RHD cars to LHD. And even then we would still be left with many RHD cars whose values will drop dramatically.
On the plus-side, we will be part of a much bigger market and have a greater choice of where we buy our cars from. Also, many RHD cars are comprimised somewhat because (and correct me if I'm wrong!) most cars are usually designed in LHD and then the RHD versions are engineered. This should bring purchase costs down slightly since manufacturers don't have to build separate tooling for RHD.
Realistically, this will never happen since the benefits are too far into the future and government policy is inherently short-term. Also, there are still many RHD countries around the world so manufacturers will still have to RHD cars.
But if we WERE to do this, how would we start? What would be the big difficulties? I know it has been done in the past (some small country in the Caribbean, IIRC) but doing it in the UK would clearly be on a whole other scale!
Wouldn't upset me as I already own LHD cars in the UK.
You are quite right regarding cars being designed as LHD, you only have to look at some of the horrific brake set ups on RHD cars which have the brake servo/MC on the passenger side!
On the other hand I think* I am right in saying that there are more countries that drive on the right than the left but those that drive on the left eg most of Europe and America account for larger number of car sales.
You are quite right regarding cars being designed as LHD, you only have to look at some of the horrific brake set ups on RHD cars which have the brake servo/MC on the passenger side!
On the other hand I think* I am right in saying that there are more countries that drive on the right than the left but those that drive on the left eg most of Europe and America account for larger number of car sales.
Well for a start, there will be a lot of deaths and accidents on the change over day, no matter how well advertised it is, it's not exactly like changing analogue TV to digital, which can be done in zones over time. Actually I guess you could zone off roads / counties, but it will still lead to accidents when people go from a RHD motorway to a LHD a road or something like that.
Education would be the first step. But what do you teach learners before the switch?
Still, if we need to reduce the population a bit (and we do), it's a good idea. Otherwise it seems quite difficult. Savings will be made on Euro cars, even Japanese cars which must make up quite a bit of the market can simply ship the euro models to us, I doubt they'd drop much in price though. Even the european manufacturers will likely just keep the same prices here.
Education would be the first step. But what do you teach learners before the switch?
Still, if we need to reduce the population a bit (and we do), it's a good idea. Otherwise it seems quite difficult. Savings will be made on Euro cars, even Japanese cars which must make up quite a bit of the market can simply ship the euro models to us, I doubt they'd drop much in price though. Even the european manufacturers will likely just keep the same prices here.
Frik said:
456GT said:
Also, many RHD cars are comprimised somewhat because (and correct me if I'm wrong!) most cars are usually designed in LHD and then the RHD versions are engineered.
You're wrong. That wouldn't be a very efficient way of doing things.aka_kerrly said:
On the other hand I think* I am right in saying that there are more countries that drive on the right than the left but those that drive on the left eg most of Europe and America account for larger number of car sales.
Red, Drive on right
Blue, Drive on left
So basically, the only car producing countries worth noting are us and the Japs.
A change should have been made decades ago, the carnage that would ensue with the average level of driving would be horrendous.
Never going to happen I'm afraid
Parabola said:
The price of second hand cars in the UK would rocket as trading with Europe became much more feasible.
If you're buying second hand, it's quite handy having an island full of cars that are tricky to sell anywhere else.
Except of course that all of the existing difficult to sell second hand cars would still be RHD..... If you're buying second hand, it's quite handy having an island full of cars that are tricky to sell anywhere else.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_...
Sweden switched in 1967: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H
Sweden switched in 1967: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H
aka_kerrly said:
You are quite right regarding cars being designed as LHD, you only have to look at some of the horrific brake set ups on RHD cars which have the brake servo/MC on the passenger side!
Cars that are to be sold in RHD and LHD markets have both versions designed simultaneously. The prototype phase usually has RHD and LHD versions so both get validated at the same rate.It's not how it used to happen in the 70's, but it's certainly how it happens now.
As for remote brake M/Cs - sometimes the engine is just in the way, and it's much cheaper to move the M/C than to design right and left hand drive versions of an engine (and on transverse mounted cars RHD and LHD gearboxes as well).
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