how come ..in egypt the steering wheel is on the left of the car while in western countries it's on the right???
2007-09-04 02:39:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Egypt
to steven
thnx for the info ..but u didn't answer my q
2007-09-04 02:55:19 · update #1
@ALL
OK THANK YOU ...BUT PLZ THAT'S NOT MY Q ..I WANT TO KNOW ''WHY''
2007-09-04 07:56:49 · update #2
Well Samantha got part of the Answer allright.
Originally, in the ancient days when horses and carriages were used, traffic was set to the left hand side of the road so that people coming in opposite traffic could use their right hand to interact either in battle (fencing) or for other peaceful matters like greeting, since the reins of the horse were held by the left hand anyway.
It is sometimes said that the first country to change traffic to the right hand side of the street was France during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, (by direct orders of the Emperor Bonaparte himself). And guess why! becasue he was left handed, so he changed the entire system to accomodate himself.
Of course back then France and England were the super powers of the time and were declared foes. Therefore the world split according to the allegiance to each country. Those countries under the British rule (now mostly the British Commonwealth) kept the old system driving on the left hand side, while those who were under French rule or impressed by the french culture adopted the new system driving on the right hand side.
America of course having fought for independence against the British and assisted by the French adopted the French system which gave a big boost afterwards to the right side traffic system. This is why most countries today (actually two thirds of the world) drive on the right side. One third still drives on the left examples are the UK (of course), Australia, Japan, Southern and some Eastern African countries, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and a few other Asian countries. In the western hemisphere only two countries drive on the left Guyana and Surinam
The position of the steering wheel in the car depends on the direction of the Traffic. In right hand sided traffic the steering wheel is on the left of the car and vice versa. This keeps the driver always nearest to the incoming traffic giving him better visibility.
2007-09-04 11:32:05 · answer #1 · answered by msafwat 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I haven't yet gone to a country that the steering wheel is on the right...
Anyways... most western countries have their steering wheels on the left...
The left right thingy is based on the street... if the steering wheel is on the left... then u must drive on the right bound... n vice versa...
Most streets were created in the old days... then they were asphalted afterwards...
n the reason for why the left bound is the going traffic (in countries where the steering wheel is on the right)... is bcz back then... in Britain or whatever... they wore their swords on their left... n so they walked/rode their horses on the left side...
SO...
1.No one could pull out their sword from the oncoming traffic side (right)...
2.They would have easy access to their sword when the enemy that might be coming towards them on their right... (imagine the pulling out of the sword with right hand n pointing it towards the enemy or whatever)...
now... I'm not 100% sure about the reason of right bound being the ongoing traffic lane...
I guess it was bcz... to ensure safety to ppl who lived in the city or something... so no one would wear swords or anything...
So maybe... ur country (Egypt) was one of those peace ensuring countries :D
2007-09-04 08:32:50 · answer #2 · answered by Samantha 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some countries where they drive left:
Britain
Ireland
Cyprus
South-Africa
India
Australia
New-Zealand
Japan (I think not 100%sure)
Surinam
Guyana
Thailand
I'm sure there are more African, Caribbean and Asian countries where they drive on the left.
Countries where they drive on the right:
Almost all of Europe
USA
Canada
Mexico
Central America
Almost all of South America
China (I think, not 100% sure)
African countries that were French colonies (Morocco, Alger, Senegal etc..)
Okay: here's a link that shows it all:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_on_the_left_or_right
You want to know why: read the link, Egypt is no different from USA, France, Brazil, Germany etc.. etc.. : steering wheel on the left, driving on the right.
2007-09-04 02:52:09 · answer #3 · answered by Steven Z 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
only in UK and some Asian countries (Japan, Malaysia...) and AUstralia (i think) the steering wheel is on the right...all the other countries have the steering wheel on the left.
2007-09-04 07:46:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
in england we drive on the right side of the road therefore our driving wheel is on the left. in the majority of countries in the world including egypt america and europe you drive on the right and the wheel is on the left.
2007-09-04 08:37:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I gotta flow with Tony P in this one. vehicle talk hosted by ability of the Tappet Brothers, can diagnose approximately something with a impressive responses. they are on PBS radio everywhere in the rustic on late Saturday mornings. yet, in case you confer with 'em, be arranged to take slightly harassment.
2016-12-16 11:00:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
steven z- USA steering wheel is on the right????
WRONG!!!! it's on the left as well
2007-09-04 06:46:25 · answer #7 · answered by Ruby 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because only british conquered countries drive on the right
2007-09-04 02:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by The Snail 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask the same question to a Brit.
2007-09-04 02:44:47 · answer #9 · answered by Bob W 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no egypty..it's not the western countries,....it's in Europe...i knew the reason but i forgot....
but we're the normal ppl....
2007-09-04 02:52:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋