2006-10-27 06:07:49 · 29 answers · asked by psychodad 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
The English, before autos, liked to sit on the right side of buggies so they could use their right hand to hold a weapon, such as a sword and pass opposing enemies on the left and strike them, as in jousting. When they started manufacturing autos, they put the sterring wheel on the right in this custom. I'm not kidding. In the US, they started put the steering wheel on the left, so the driver could use his right hand to operate the controls. You can look it up.
2006-10-27 06:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C. Dobbs 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The UK is an island and not connected to mainland Europe. Since we started making cars in the late 1800s, it has always been that way. I don't know why the rest of Europe drove on the right but once one country did it they all had to do it otherwise there would be a lot of bother crossing from one country to another.
Sweden was the last European country to change over. They did this in 1966. If you look at Swedish movies prior to 1966, you will see they drive on the left.
The UK could not make the change over now even if they wanted to, the cost of duplicating all the traffic signs and traffic signals would be prohibitively expensive given the amount of roads and streets. Driver education would also have to be taken into account and road markings would have to be removed prior to the changeover as two sets of road markings would be confusing.
Loads of extra Police Officers would be needed to cope with accidents during the change over and for the first few months afterwards.
All of this would cost billions of pounds, so where is the UK going to get all that money from?? Britain driving on the right isn't going to happen.
2006-10-27 08:29:52 · answer #2 · answered by colin.christie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is all the fault of Napoleon. He conquered most of Europe and he introduced the metric system and driving on the right. He didn't conquer the UK so they didn't go metric until the 20th century and still drive on the left. Sweden also drove on the left until the 20C. but they changed over before motorways so it wasn't too difficult, now it would be impossible for the UK to change because of all the motorways.
2006-10-27 06:22:35 · answer #3 · answered by happyjumpyfrog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we are unique and we like to remind everyone else of that!
Also it does a great job of confusing other drivers when they come to the UK :)
I don't think we should change to driving on the left just because we are different to "all Europe".
2006-10-27 06:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by M J H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ireland drives on the left as well, so its not all Europe. But I'm splitting hairs :-) I really don't know. But I do know that a good few years ago Sweden was on the left as well, then one day they switched to the right. Remarkably few accidents as well I believe.
2006-10-27 06:13:18 · answer #5 · answered by A True Gentleman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the correct answer as some people have already mentioned is linked to feudal times, horses and horse-drawn carriages, swords, right-handed people and so on. More interestingly, your question might raise why the UK STILL drives on the LHS? Well, this might well be linked to the reasons the UK still debates changing to the Euro currency - insularity (sometimes rudely called island mentality), the cost of change and yes, retaining some of that Brit Empire exclusivity :)
2006-10-27 08:19:42 · answer #6 · answered by baobabjim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's quite simple really, because they can.
Why does the rest of Europe, excluding Ireland, drive on the right?
2006-10-27 06:46:45 · answer #7 · answered by Nose Lobes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to the Fact of the U.K's long history, predating the Motorcar when the only way to travel was by horse. The Highways and Byways were dangerous places and offen swords were worn. Seeing that most people are right handed (9 in 10) it made sense to ride on the left so that if fighting on horse back you were sword arm to sword arm, and that's how it's stays to modern day.
2006-10-27 06:18:35 · answer #8 · answered by Gazpode55 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every country in Europe used to drive on the left. don't know the reason for the others changing but we decided not to. i should imagine if it wasn't going to cost so much our government would probably try for it now
2006-10-27 06:39:49 · answer #9 · answered by dublover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They drive on the left in Japan, that's why buying one in this country is good, NO lash up conversions,NO cheap and cheerful modifications (unlike many continental cars) you're getting a vehicle as designed.
2006-10-27 10:18:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it really matter what side you drive on long as everybody
on the road does the same ?
It has nothing to do with driving ability or the lack of it.
2006-10-27 18:44:43 · answer #11 · answered by swenson0 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋