Driving on the left / right?

Question

In South Africa, for example, they drive on the left. In Tunisia, for example, they drive on the right - the same can be said for other countries. This means, that somewhere between the two countries there is a changeover point ... but what is it? How is it controlled? Traffic lights? A fly-over? Roundabouts? Does anyone know how such a changeover is dealt with anywhere in the world? Anyone ever been? Any photos?

Answer 1

Lots of very interesting info on this link

For example, at borders between china and hong kong they have changeover systems

Answer 2

Most of the replies have missed the point of your question. Re. change over point! I dont think there are any places left where the roads 'cross over'. I can tell you that in Sweden they all drove on the left in left hand drive cars untill Sept 3 1967,All vehicles except emergency ones were banned from moving for about 12 hours until 5am.Then they changed with only a few accidents in the following days. At that time the only road crossing over points were from Sweden to Norway and to Finland. Between Sweden and Norway there was a cross over 'flyover' on the roads at the border, people had been using it for years and were used to driving on either side. Sweden to Denmark or Germany was by ferry at that time so one simply drove off the ferry onto the 'correct' side. I wish that the UK had the guts to change, one more step to becoming euopean! It would also rid us of the need to 'Import' RH drive cars from europe at cheaper prices, as we could then simply buy LH drive cars wherever the price was best. However Sweden had the advanrtage that all the cars buses etc were already LHD, even the doors on buses were on the wrong side until they changed.

Answer 3

wow what a good question. I presume mexico drives on the right as well, so therefore the enitire north america continent is ok in that respect. I think all over continantal europe drives on the right as well so no probs there. Japan like UK drives on left i think but no probs there.

Maybe the whole of the african continent and its individual countries drive on the same side as well? ie maybe all african countries drive on the right of the road, to avoid difficulties on roads at borders. Not sure about africa and asia sorry.

Answer 4

You point out a very serious problem. I feel, because otherwise they might feel discriminated, that visitors from other-sided countries should be allowed to continue driving on their side of the road.

Furthermore, to see if it is really nicer on the other side, I feel we should have the right to change once in a while. I suggest we start an experiment tomorrow at noon, but because it might be difficult to start all at once to start with trucks going over first.

Answer 5

In Canada they drive on the right but they don't have roundabouts(ok 1 or 2)so it's ok and it's just the same as here(England)just on the other side,there's no problem in that. Actually they don't crash as much as we do.

Answer 6

I was in Sweden 1966 when they changed driving on left side to
the right.

At a certain time everyone had to stop, wait for a certain time
and then slowly go over to the other side - everything went well.

Answer 7

in malaysia the driver is on the right side..but we drive on the left of the road....I dun know wat a changeover point is...but once u go into another country in a car...u jus follow the direction the others cars are goin rite...its jus gonna bit hard wit the turnin and the estimation of turning...

Answer 8

never a problem.I often visit the UK.where they drive on the left,coming from European mainland and driving a left hand drive vehicle.the speed limits in UK in miles per hour,on European continent is kilometres per hour.