Why do cars drive on the right in America but on the left in UK?

Answer 1

The origin in the UK goes back to a somewhat violent feudal times. When horse riding, riders would pass others on the left. Your sword arm (most people being right-handed) was then nearer the person approaching.

The sword would normally be worn on the left side (again, right handed people) so it would be normal to mount and dismount on the left. The scabbard would get in the way if mounting/dismounting from the right. So again it would have been better if people were riding on the left as that would them mean dismounting on the side of the horse away from an approaching horse.

This seeped down to all and it was then normal for horse traffic to keep to the left. When the automobile came into existence, it was driven on the same side as everyone else.

Most, but not all, of the countries that drive on the left were at one time British Colonies. The British took their left side passing with them.

The USA began its history when firearms were already in existence. It is easier to fire a hand gun or rifle slightly left when riding so one would then tend to pass someone oncoming on the right.

Another possibility for the USA driving on the left is from early farming days. Wagons hauling farm produce were often large and pulled by teams of horses in pairs. The driver sat on the left (sometimes on the left rear horse as often there was no drivers seat on the wagon) so that his right arm could more easily use the lash that was used to control the horses.

With the driver on the left, he would pass other wagons on the right. That way he could see better to ensure that the wagon wheels did not clash.

As far as the French were concerned, they ended up on the right because Napoleon was left handed.

The fact that the French won the Revolution for the

The origin in the UK goes back to a somewhat violent feudal times. When horse riding, riders would pass others on the left. Your sword arm (most people being right-handed) was then nearer the person approaching.

The sword would normally be worn on the left side (again, right handed people) so it would be normal to mount and dismount on the left. The scabbard would get in the way if mounting/dismounting from the right. So again it would have been better if people were riding on the left as that would them mean dismounting on the side of the horse away from an approaching horse.

This seeped down to all and it was then normal for horse traffic to keep to the left. When the automobile came into existence, it was driven on the same side as everyone else.

Most, but not all, of the countries that drive on the left were at one time British Colonies. The British took their left side passing with them.

The USA began its history when firearms were already in existence. It is easier to fire a hand gun or rifle slightly left when riding so one would then tend to pass someone oncoming on the right.

Another possibility for the USA driving on the left is from early farming days. Wagons hauling farm produce were often large and pulled by teams of horses in pairs. The driver sat on the left (sometimes on the left rear horse as often there was no drivers seat on the wagon) so that his right arm could more easily use the lash that was used to control the horses.

With the driver on the left, he would pass other wagons on the right. That way he could see better to ensure that the wagon wheels did not clash.

As far as the French were concerned, they ended up on the right because Napoleon was left handed.

The fact that the French won the Revolution for the indigenous population (whoops, that will upset a lot of people) is not the reason for the USA driving on the right.

Answer 2

The Irish are going to try an experiment with lorries driving on the left and cars on the right, and if that doesn't work they'll try one week right, next week left for a while.

Answer 3

the english drive on the left side of the road because napoleon didn't conquer them. here's the story: all people used to ride thier horses on the left so you could carry your sword in the right hand for defense,napoleon was left handed so he liked to ride on the right and forced all his subjects in his empire to do the same,he never beat the british so they didn't have to change...americans ride on the right because we were friends with france during the revolution

Answer 4

cause most americans a decended from the irish, the even thicker ones that went there,the thought it was the other side of the world , so everything would be opposite.

Answer 5

Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_on_the_left_or_right for the best description I've seen on this issue.