what was the reason for choosing to drive on the left side of the road in countries like the U.K.?

Answer 1

Wrong question, you should be asking why others drive on the right.

We've been travelling on the left side of the road for 2000 years in the Britsih Isles, at least since Roman times.

In mainland Europe the French Emporer Napolean declared that his army would march on the right side -- up to then the left was the normal side, and as Napolean conquered most of Europe (but not Britain) forced the rest to change.

Countries under French influence followed, countries under British influence stayed left.

And countries independent of either, such as Japan and Thailand drive on the left.

Answer 2

I saw the real explaination somewhere a while back, but I can't damn well find it again........ only thing I recall is it being something to do with Napolean Bonepart being left-handed..... in fact I've just found the article again:
http://www.2pass.co.uk/goodluck.htm

QUOTE:
"This strange quirk perplexes the rest of the world; however, there is a perfectly good reason.

Up to the late 1700's, everybody travelled on the left side of the road because it's the sensible option for feudal, violent societies of mostly right-handed people.

Jousting knights with their lances under their right arm naturally passed on each other's right, and if you passed a stranger on the road you walked on the left to ensure that your protective sword arm was between yourself and him.

Revolutionary France, however, overturned this practice as part of its sweeping social rethink. A change was carried out all over continental Europe by Napoleon.The reason it changed under Napoleon was because he was left handed his armies had to march on the right so he could keep his sword arm between him and any opponent. " (Go visit the link to see the rest of the explaination).

Answer 3

I think you are incorrect....the U.S. the baby country...we drove on the left side or rode horses on the left side before the United States existed. The U.S.A. choose to be different.

Answer 4

So that a rider could wield his sword in defense against an oncoming assailant. larger %age of people are right handed you know

Answer 5

this was the way it was done everywhere. US was the first place to go right. They did it to confuse brits during the revolutionary war.

Answer 6

So you can see the countryside better as you drive.

Answer 7

becuz nobody likes being like the US and they all hate us!

seriously i have no idea