Why do we drive on the left?
Discussion
IIRC, origins came from jousting? As most ppl are right handed so needed to pass each other on the left, holding the lance.
Same with horses later on (as you can hold a sword in your right hand).
Logically, RHD is better as you need to remove one hand to change gear. Its arguably better to have your main hand steering than not (IMHO)
Same with horses later on (as you can hold a sword in your right hand).
Logically, RHD is better as you need to remove one hand to change gear. Its arguably better to have your main hand steering than not (IMHO)
Hedders said:
andyscole said:
Shaw Tarse said:
To do with swords?
That's what I remember, as most people right handed you could protect yourself when passing on horse. All countries use to drive on left also, but can't remember why the change but was well into 20th century.The french started it..
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=lhd+and+rhd
first link said:
History
In 1998, archaeologists found a well-preserved track leading to a Roman quarry near Swindon, England. The grooves in the road on the left side (viewed facing down the track away from the quarry) were much deeper than those on the right side. These grooves suggest that the Romans drove on the left, at least in this particular location, since carts would exit the quarry heavily loaded, and enter it empty.[4]
Some historians, such as C. Northcote Parkinson, believed that ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, a horseman would thus be able to hold the reins with his left hand and keep his right hand free—to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend himself with a sword, if necessary.[19]
The first legal reference in Britain to an order for traffic to remain on the left was in 1756 with regard to London Bridge. The Highway Act 1773 contained a recommendation that horse traffic should remain on the left and this is enshrined in the Highway Act 1835.[20]
In the late 18th century, the shift from left to right that took place in countries such as the United States was based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver's seat, so a postilion sat on the left rear horse and held his whip in his right hand. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons. He did that by driving on the right side of the road.[19]
There is a popular story that Napoleon changed the rule of the road in the European countries he conquered from keep-left to keep-right. Some justifications are symbolic, such as that Napoleon himself was left- (or right-) handed, or that Britain, Napoleon's enemy, kept left. Alternatively, troops passing on the left may have been tempted to raise their right fists against each other. Forcing them to pass on the right reduced conflict. Hence, island nations such as Britain and Japan (using ships to move troops around and having less need to move them overland) continued to drive on the left. These stories have never been shown to have a factual basis and appear to be legends.[21]
Countries that became part of the British Empire adopted the British keep-left rule, although some have since changed. In Canada, the Maritime provinces and British Columbia initially drove on the left, but changed to the right to make border crossings to and from other provinces easier. Nova Scotia switched to driving on the right on 15 April 1923.
In 1998, archaeologists found a well-preserved track leading to a Roman quarry near Swindon, England. The grooves in the road on the left side (viewed facing down the track away from the quarry) were much deeper than those on the right side. These grooves suggest that the Romans drove on the left, at least in this particular location, since carts would exit the quarry heavily loaded, and enter it empty.[4]
Some historians, such as C. Northcote Parkinson, believed that ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, a horseman would thus be able to hold the reins with his left hand and keep his right hand free—to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend himself with a sword, if necessary.[19]
The first legal reference in Britain to an order for traffic to remain on the left was in 1756 with regard to London Bridge. The Highway Act 1773 contained a recommendation that horse traffic should remain on the left and this is enshrined in the Highway Act 1835.[20]
In the late 18th century, the shift from left to right that took place in countries such as the United States was based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver's seat, so a postilion sat on the left rear horse and held his whip in his right hand. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons. He did that by driving on the right side of the road.[19]
There is a popular story that Napoleon changed the rule of the road in the European countries he conquered from keep-left to keep-right. Some justifications are symbolic, such as that Napoleon himself was left- (or right-) handed, or that Britain, Napoleon's enemy, kept left. Alternatively, troops passing on the left may have been tempted to raise their right fists against each other. Forcing them to pass on the right reduced conflict. Hence, island nations such as Britain and Japan (using ships to move troops around and having less need to move them overland) continued to drive on the left. These stories have never been shown to have a factual basis and appear to be legends.[21]
Countries that became part of the British Empire adopted the British keep-left rule, although some have since changed. In Canada, the Maritime provinces and British Columbia initially drove on the left, but changed to the right to make border crossings to and from other provinces easier. Nova Scotia switched to driving on the right on 15 April 1923.
Edited by rottie102 on Monday 8th November 18:24
FraserLFA said:
Hedders said:
The countries that drive on the right do it to spite us.
This is what it boils down to.
This is true. They mainly do it to show they are no longer ruled by us (Since Victoria) even though we GAVE them their countries back This is what it boils down to.
Its to do with swords i think as mentioned numerous times above
I'm sure someone will be able to fill in the details but i remember reading an article in the last couple of years about the last country to change from left to right, vaguely remember it being something like 23:59 drive on left, 00:00 drive on right. It was interesting and sounded a hugely bloody dangerous and complicated tbhing to do, just imagine trying to change all the road junctions so that they work 
.
.omgus said:
I'm sure someone will be able to fill in the details but i remember reading an article in the last couple of years about the last country to change from left to right, vaguely remember it being something like 23:59 drive on left, 00:00 drive on right. It was interesting and sounded a hugely bloody dangerous and complicated tbhing to do, just imagine trying to change all the road junctions so that they work .
I remember that being brought up on here once. .Some said it went smoothly, and others reckoned it was a disaster.
al1991 said:
omgus said:
I'm sure someone will be able to fill in the details but i remember reading an article in the last couple of years about the last country to change from left to right, vaguely remember it being something like 23:59 drive on left, 00:00 drive on right. It was interesting and sounded a hugely bloody dangerous and complicated tbhing to do, just imagine trying to change all the road junctions so that they work .
I remember that being brought up on here once. .Some said it went smoothly, and others reckoned it was a disaster.
Motorbikes & cars did the same a weak later!
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