Many of the people who migrated to America many, many years ago were from England. So why do Americans drive on the opposite side of the road to the English?
How long ago is it that the English, and the Americans, passed laws to make it a criminal offence to drive on the "wrong" side of the road.
If a Yahoo Answers contributor can answer these questions, then he or she must be very clever indeed, because I don't have a clue!
2006-11-02 07:38:49 · 7 answers · asked by Jenny 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I may not be "very clever indeed", but I do know where to look.
Right here => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_on_the_left_or_right
2006-11-02 21:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that the USA drive on the right hand side because on the advent of the railway system it was decided that trains were to pass on that side. This attitude is also reflected in USA mechanical drawings which are drawn in what they call "1st Angle" and a drawing of a car would show the front of the engine approaching you from the right hand side of the plan, then passing you in the centre of the plan and showing the rear of the car leaving you on the left hand side of the plan.
British drawings are drawing in "3rd Angle" which is a little more complicated to explain.
It has been suggested that we pass on the left hand side because in the olden days, passing strangers on a desolate track could be very dangerous, and most people being right handed and would pass each other on the left hand side so they they could keep their hand on their swords as they passed.
As per when the law was passed, I have no idea!
2006-11-02 16:15:38 · answer #2 · answered by Lord Dax 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IN England as in many other countries it is natural to ride on rhe left side of the road because of drawing a sword in olden days as most people are right handed the sword would be drawn from the left side by the right hand to face an oncoming opponent.However Napolian Bonopart was left handed and he changed the road sides to suit himself.the french had a lot of influence in the USA prior to independance and thats where it comes from
2006-11-02 15:56:32 · answer #3 · answered by paul t 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When the English came over to America and if we were already driving, why would we change the way we were doing things. Why do the English drive on the left hand side of the road? Who is right? I believe that all traffic laws are passed for the safety of the drivers and passengers so of course there should be a law to stay on the correct side of the road to prevent accidents.
2006-11-02 15:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by charbar 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The english had long gone, when the motor car was introduced to america
2006-11-02 15:50:09 · answer #5 · answered by wozza.lad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because horses are driven in the middle.
2006-11-02 15:56:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
paul t is correct...it had to do with Napoleon conquering all of Europe until you guys beat him at Waterloo...see? not all yanks are dummies
2006-11-02 16:25:59 · answer #7 · answered by zskip62 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋