Why do the steering wheels of England's cars are in the right side instead of the left side, as the others

Question

countries?

Answer 1

Approximately one quarter to one third of the world's traffic travels on the left-hand side of the road. Some claim that this practice arose from the prevalence of right-handedness, although such prevalence occurs in virtually all populations, regardless of which side of the road is used. In any case, the need to be ready for self-defence on rural roads inclined most horse-riders to keep to their left when encountering oncoming wayfarers, so as to be able to deploy a sword or other hand-weapon more swiftly and effectively should the need arise. Also, those on foot and in charge of horse-drawn vehicles would more usually hold the animals' heads with their right hand, and thus walk along the left hand side of the road.

The first legal reference in Britain to an order for traffic to remain on the left occurred in 1756 with regard to London Bridge. The General Highways Act of 1773, contained a recommendation that horse traffic should remain on the left and this was enshrined in the Highways Bill in 1835.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_hand_drive

Answer 2

British cars are on the correct side same as Thailand, malaysia, singapore, India, australia new zealand etc, napoleon changed the side of the road the french drove on and now all of europe and the country france helped start the United States, because he was left handed and dismounting his horse was impratical to him(thats one theory), historic records from roman times show that they drove on the same side as the British do now. The reason the british drive on that side goes back to the days of the Knights and hand weapons were mainly carried in the right hand also why spiral castles spiral the way they do so the attacker has the disadvantage

Answer 3

The answer that I read went....
As mentioned before, riders used to pass to the left of oncoming travellers in order to keep their sword hand towards a possible attack. I read that Napoleon Bonaparte was left-handed and decreed that riders should pass on the right. This stayed throughout mainland Europe, except in Sweden. Sweden changed from driving on the left to the right, over one weekend in 1967. That must have been fun!!!

Answer 4

When the British road system was concieved, it was decided that traffic would move on the left of the road, since it meant you didn't have to present your 'weaker' side to someone as you passed (back in t'day of highwaymen and such).
When the French concieved their system, they couldn't do it the same as the British, so they decided to put traffic on the right. The rest of continental Europe followed.

The first vehicles to become prevalent on the road that had a driver inside (as opposed to on top) of them demonstrated that it makes sense to put the driver nearer the middle of the road - this way he has a better view of the gap between his vehicle and any oncoming ones, and it makes it easier to pick up passengers from the kerb.

I *think* around a quater of the world drives on the left. I don't remember where that number comes from, or what metric they used (a quater of the population, of the number of countries?)...

Answer 5

Adding to the Ron, its americans who have it on the WRONG side, just to make them different from English. Almost all the common wealth countries i.e. more than 50 countries have it on right as britain.

Answer 6

Its not only England but they're on the right cause the streets there probably are the left lane to drive. So its opposite.

Answer 7

Because the accelerator and brake are on the right and it is easier for one person to steer and control the speed rather than needing a two man team.

Answer 8

Because the drivers of English cars sit on the right. that's why they have to have a wheel there.

Answer 9

English cars have them on the 'proper' side.

Answer 10

Driving on the other side of the road and all that pi sh posh.