Ever wonder why we Drive on the Right and Left sides of the Road?

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Alright motorists...ever wonder why we why we drive on the right and left sides of the road?

Although most of us drive left-hand-drive vehicles

and drive on the right (167 countries), there are 75 countries (with mostly right-hand-drive vehicles

), that drive
on the left.

I ask this because years ago while vacationing with friends in Yeovil, Somerset, UK...the Mrs and I couldn't for the 'life of us' (yes...we were scared, but ended up either being driven by friends, using public transportation or just using walking), get used to driving on the left (much less trying to drive right-hand-drive vehicles ).

Hmmm...maybe this video has the answer (or better yet...maybe you can chime-in on this baffling phenomenon).

"I'm all about sharing the road with other drivers—as long as they use the [other other side of the road]". Author Unknown

Read More: http://www.worldstandards.eu/driving on the left.htm#rightdriving

Read More: http://now.msn.com/minuteearth-tries-to-explain-why-we-drive-on-left-or-right-side-of-the-road

"If you think everything comes your way, you're driving on the wrong side of the road". CBJ

 

[JazzyJ]

Interesting video! I've always wondered why the difference came about. I'd like to try driving a right-hand drive car at some point. Although I drive a manual, so that might take some getting used to.

 

[Dalejr]

I think it would be hard to get comfortable when you're used to doing something a certain way all your life.

 

[ReAndyMator]

I'm told that we (UK) drive on the left to allow access to your sword (from the old horsey days). You Americans decided to drive on the right as it was the opposite of what we do, and you weren't very keen on us.

http://www.2pass.co.uk/goodluck.htm#.UbV0_eesiE4

 

[Legion]

All I know is being a passenger in the USA is scary as! Especially cornering through intersections. "Arrgg!! We are going the wrong way into oncoming traffic!!" It took me almost a month before I stopped covering my face. It is made worse because you feel like you are on the drivers side, but there is no wheel or peddles to prevent the accident you "know" is about to happen.

 

[Eeyore]

The UK was never conquered by Napoleon, in contrast to the mainland.

 

[SiBurning]

Do people who dive on the left drift to the left before making a right hand turn?

 

[Alacrity59]

We are starting to get "roundabouts" in my area of Ontario Canada. Good grief this takes some getting used to. You would think the province would send us some guidelines first? Na not sporting.

 

[professorchaos]

I'm told that we (UK) drive on the left to allow access to your sword (from the old horsey days). You Americans decided to drive on the right as it was the opposite of what we do, and you weren't very keen on us.

http://www.2pass.co.uk/goodluck.htm#.UbV0_eesiE4

All I know is being a passenger in the USA is scary as! Especially cornering through intersections. "Arrgg!! We are going the wrong way into oncoming traffic!!" It took me almost a month before I stopped covering my face. It is made worse because you feel like you are on the drivers side, but there is no wheel or peddles to prevent the accident you "know" is about to happen.

I can't speak for Australia but traffic lights in England freak me out. I'll never get accustomed to starting when the light is red and yellow.

 

[ReAndyMator]

We are starting to get "roundabouts" in my area of Ontario Canada. Good grief this takes some getting used to. You would think the province would send us some guidelines first? Na not sporting.

I grew up in Swindon. Home of this.....



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

Roundabouts hold little fear for me....

 

[galopede]

I grew up in Swindon. Home of this.....

View attachment 341677

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

Roundabouts hold little fear for me....

I have been around the Magic Roundabout in Swindon several times and it always confuses me! What gets me is that you go the correct way around the mini roundabouts and then the WRONG way around the big one in the middle!

Mike in Ontario - have you got mini roundabouts yet? We just drive straight over the top of them!

Someone above asked if we drift to the left before turning right here in the UK. Not heard that before. Do people who drive on the right drift to the right before turning left? Why?

Henry, the red and amber light is warning you that they are about to go green. It is not the GO signal! You are allowed to start off though, if it is safe to do so.

I must admit though, that when my daughter and I have done the occasional booze cruise to France through the Channel Tunnel, I let her do the driving on the right over there!

 

[dieselfuel79]

I just wonder why some people get behind the wheel at all.

 

[Legion]

Do people who dive on the left drift to the left before making a right hand turn?

I have been around the Magic Roundabout in Swindon several times and it always confuses me! What gets me is that you go the correct way around the mini roundabouts and then the WRONG way around the big one in the middle!

Mike in Ontario - have you got mini roundabouts yet? We just drive straight over the top of them!

Someone above asked if we drift to the left before turning right here in the UK. Not heard that before. Do people who drive on the right drift to the right before turning left? Why?

Henry, the red and amber light is warning you that they are about to go green. It is not the GO signal! You are allowed to start off though, if it is safe to do so.

I must admit though, that when my daughter and I have done the occasional booze cruise to France through the Channel Tunnel, I let her do the driving on the right over there!

Not normally, but it does have to happen in some parts of Melbourne. It's called a hook turn. If you want to turn right you must do it from the left lane, and give way to the traffic continuing straight ahead on the right. This prevents holding up the cars going straight down the road, as they cannot overtake a car stopped on the right side because of the tram lane. It's confusing, to say the least.

 

[CraigarTA]

I was told by family member that German occupied Europe switched from the left cause the tank driver's couldn't see the center of the road and Hitler ordered it switched.
Who knows but it does make sense being the driver was on the left side

 

[Eeyore]

I was told by family member that German occupied Europe switched from the left cause the tank driver's couldn't see the center of the road and Hitler ordered it switched.
Who knows but it does make sense being the driver was on the left side

Nice story, but incorrect.

Napoleon ordered civilians to ride on the right side of the road. And since he never conquered the UK, they still drive left there.

 

[Omp]

Interesting video! I've always wondered why the difference came about. I'd like to try driving a right-hand drive car at some point. Although I drive a manual, so that might take some getting used to.

I use a right hand drive car but have spent time in France using a left hand drive manual car. At first you do tend to rap your knuckles on the inside of the car door a few times reaching the wrong way for the gear stick!

 

[professorchaos]

Henry, the red and amber light is warning you that they are about to go green. It is not the GO signal! You are allowed to start off though, if it is safe to do so.

Good thing no one lets me drive in England!

 

[jpakstis]

Alright motorists...ever wonder why we why we drive on the right and left sides of the road?

Because driving in the middle would be disastrous.

 

[bakerbarber]

Where the &%@? Is my jetpack...

 

[rxonmymind]

I'd put it in 5th gear starting thinking it was 1st if I drove on the right side. This I did on numerous occasion which is humorous but the guy behind me didn't. I had look down to see which gear I was switching into and did I believe my left arm would do as my brain wanted?