In France, right-hand or left-hand traffic. Left-hand traffic in different countries

It is not a secret for avid travelers that in many states the traffic vector on the roads differs from the way they are used to. Before traveling abroad, it is important to remember in which countries Left side traffic especially if you plan to rent a car.

Reasons for choosing a direction

There is practically no historical evidence of how our ancestors moved. Apparently, this topic seemed obvious, so the chroniclers and the townsfolk did not consider it important to make notes on this. Legislatively, the rules of conduct on transport routes of the state were first regulated only in the 18th century.

On this moment 28% of the world's highways are oriented to the left, 34% of the world's population moves along them. The reasons why these territories have retained their traditional ways of regulating traffic are as follows:

Historically they have been colonies or dependencies of Great Britain and Japan;
Wagons were used as the main transport, on which the coachman sat on the roof.

The list of regions was actively changed after the United Kingdom lost its status of "an empire where the sun never sets" and the end of the Second World War. The last country to switch to a new orientation was in 2009, it was Independent state Samoa.

Complete list for 2018:

Australia and New Zealand including external territories and states in free association (Cocos, Norfolk, Christmas, Tokelau, Cook, Niue);
Continental Southeast Africa (Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tonga, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi);
Bangladesh;
Botswana;
Brunei;
Butane;
Great Britain;
Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom (Anguilla, Bermuda, Saint Helena and Ascension, Cayman, Montserrat, Maine, Pitcairn, Turks and Caicos, Falklands);
British and American Virgin Islands;
East Timor;
Guyana;
Hong Kong;
India;
Indonesia;
Ireland;
Independent countries of the Caribbean;
Cyprus;
Mauritius;
Macau;
Malaysia;
Maldives;
Malta;
Micronesia (Kiribati, Solomons, Tuvalu);
Nauru;
Nepal;
Channel Islands;
Pakistan;
Papua New Guinea;
Samoa;
Seychelles;
Singapore;
Suriname;
Thailand;
Fiji;
Sri Lanka;
Jamaica;
Japan.

Traditions of movement

Road driving methods ordinary people depended in antiquity purely for convenience because the population density was low. Peasants and artisans carried loads on their right shoulders and walked so as not to hurt each other, and warriors preferred the opposite side in order to be able to protect themselves from enemies, drawing a sword from a scabbard on their left hip.

With the advent of vehicles, the rules of driving have also changed. Carts with one horse and a driver on the front goats were more convenient to manage with the working hand, as a stronger one, and at the same time maintain maneuverability on the left.

This mode of transport was common in France, and during the reign of Napoleon, left-hand traffic spread to all regions of his conquests.

How has the direction influenced vehicle design?

Due to differences in behavior on the track, depending on the orientation, different countries use cars in which the steering wheel is on the side farthest from the curb. At the same time, the location of the control levers remains the same in all models.

However, for the convenience of specialized machines, this rule may be violated. For example, at the official transport of postal employees, the driver's seat was on the side closest to the sidewalk so that the postman delivers letters and parcels without leaving the car. So in the USSR, since 1968, the Moskvich 434P was produced with a right-hand drive.

Another important aspect related to the direction of traffic is crossing the border in states with opposite accepted rules movement. In such cases, there may be a simple shift in the track if the road is narrow, as between Laos and Thailand, or a massive maze of paths if we are talking about large-scale crossings, as, for example, between Macau and China.

Why does England drive on the left?

Since there is no written evidence of how roads were driven in antiquity, researchers are turning to archeological methods. At an old quarry near Swindon, in Wiltshire, traces of a Roman era street were found, the degree of subsidence of which indicated left-hand traffic.

Also, historians associate this direction of traffic in the UK with traditional carts, including a cab, on which a right-handed driver sat on the roof and, accordingly, held a whip in his strongest hand.

The first legislative act regulating the rules of movement in the city was a law in 1756, which obliged vehicles to drive on the left side of London Bridge, while violators were expected to be fined a whole silver pound. Later, in 1776, the "Road Act" was passed, extending the rule to all the streets of England.

Since it was the British who became the first railway power, many countries still have similar traffic in the subway and at railway stations with reverse rules for cars.

What kind of traffic in Russia is right-hand or left-hand?

For a long time, there were no rules in Russia that would tell people exactly how they should drive the carts so as not to collide with each other. In 1752, the first Russian Empress Elizabeth ordered the drivers move along the right side streets within cities.

And so it happened, throughout Russian Federation accepted right-hand traffic . However, in major cities you can find separate sections where the direction of the flow of cars is changed, which, as a rule, is associated with the convenience of an interchange in a particular place.

Examples of such places are:

Leskova Street in the Bibirevskiy district of Moscow;
Embankment of the Fontanka River in St. Petersburg;
Semyonovskaya and Mordotsveva streets in Vladivostok (August 2012 - March 2013).

It is interesting to see how political and economic reasons influenced which countries drive on the left and which drive on the right. One simple point, on which people cannot agree and come to a unified decision, creates differences in economic trends, sets major tasks for architects and administrations of cities and regions.

Video: on what part of the road do they move in different countries?

In this video, Oleg Govorunov will tell you why in different countries it is customary to move on different sides of the road:

Traffic rules have been around for a very long time. And, as you know, all over the world now there are two types of roads, with right-hand and left-hand traffic. For most people, right-hand traffic is closer and more natural, since almost everyone is right-handed by nature.

History of left-hand traffic

On the preferences and choices for countries are the prevailing habits, the mentality of the population and historical features.

Also in old times When there were carriages and riders, there was a division of the road into right and left sides. Wagons had better stick to the left roads, as well as riders. With a wave of the whip with the right hand, there was no need to be afraid of hurting one of the passers-by walking along the road.

AT modern time For most countries, driving on the right is more acceptable. But, there are also a number of countries that prefer left-hand traffic. This Ireland, UK, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Malta, Barbados, Brunei, India. If you look at the percentage, then up to 35% of all road routes planets prefer left-hand traffic. More 66% of the world's population drives on the right side. Over 72% of all roads are based on right-hand traffic. As you can see, most of the people on the planet prefer left-hand drive.

There are countries that, for their own reasons and more comfort, have changed left side to the right, this Nigeria and Sweden. And Samoa has reversed direction. Ukraine, as well as the CIS countries, also adhere to the right-hand traffic.

Why do some countries prefer the left side? Let's take the UK for example. It is known from history that in 1776 A law was passed that allowed people to move on London Bridge only on the left side. This was the reason for the order of left-hand traffic, which exists to this day. Great Britain is the first country Western Europe, which officially adopted left-hand traffic and influenced several other countries.

Rudder location history

As a rule, for all cars, the driver's seat is located on the side of the oncoming traffic. In countries with right-hand traffic, it is on the left. Where left-hand traffic is used, the driver's seat is on the right.

Right-hand drive and right-hand traffic existed in European countries ah until the end of World War II. For example, in Russia and the countries of the USSR until 1932, all cars were made with the right wheel. Why then did everything change? Everyone knows the name of the constructor Henry Ford after which a popular car brand is named.

It was the car that was first released with a left-hand drive. This model was in production. from 1907 to 1927. Now it can be seen in the museum. Prior to this, all cars in America were produced with a right-hand drive. The reason for the steering wheel on the left side was very simple - Henry Ford designed this car with frequent commuters in mind..

It was much more convenient, and he placed the gearbox not on the outside of the car, but on the steering column. So gradually, with the advent of American cars in Europe, the traffic system began to change, and many countries preferred the left-hand drive, because of convenience and rationality.

Situation in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia

Most European countries prefer to drive on the right. Ireland and the UK drive on the left side of the road. Also, this applies to some countries - English colonies, such as Australia, India.

In Africa, the right steering wheel was changed to the left former British Colonies, Ganna, Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. But Mozambique preferred the left-hand drive, due to its proximity to the countries - English colonies.

Korea (South and North) changed from right hand drive to left hand drive after the end of Japanese rule, in 1946. In the USA, right-hand traffic is used. Previously, until the end of the 18th century in the United States of America, traffic was left-handed, but then changed to right-handed.

AT North America some countries use left hand drive Bahamas , Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda. As for Asian countries, the list is significant: Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Cyprus, Macao, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brunei, Bhutan, East Timor.

Australia inherited left-hand traffic from the time of the British colonies. Australia currently uses left-hand drive and right-hand drive.

The main differences between right and left-hand traffic

The difference between left- and right-hand traffic lies in the location of the steering wheel, and the principle of driving. For drivers who, for example, are accustomed to driving in a country with left-hand traffic, it will be a little difficult adapt to some nuances of right-hand traffic. If, for example, a traveler rents a car in a country with a different type of traffic, then he needs to adapt a little and get used to this principle. In general, there is no significant difference. But there are nuances.

Interesting fact that not only the car movement system has developed in this direction. rail traffic also has the same rules. Rail transport throughout Europe tends to drive on the left, but vehicles in most European countries drive on the right.

Actually, the difference between the left and the right movement is that the whole process is the other way around. (in one case - from left to right, and from right to left) This regarding driving, crossings, driving rules. Everything is exactly the same, only in reverse order. Like a mirror image.

Disadvantages and advantages of left-hand traffic

Most people agree that driving on the right is more convenient for people, even from purely physiological reasons . After all, many people are right-handed. Why do some countries still prefer left-hand traffic? It is difficult to answer this question with precision. Maybe, so historically like in the UK for example.

Left hand traffic has one important advantage, it right handicap rule. In England, where left-hand traffic is preferred, the roundabout movement is clockwise not at all like ours. This means that all entrances to the roundabout let all those who are already on the roundabout pass. Therefore, most intersections in the UK look like small squares where there is no need for a traffic light.

This saves time. It is very convenient and comfortable. The movement is clear and logical. Most of maneuvers on the road is not through the oncoming lane. It is much safer and more comfortable for the driver.

Some motorists believe that the principle of left-hand traffic is much more logical and absolutely corresponds to the correct one. common sense. However, due to mentality and historical features it is not suitable for all people. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about any specific disadvantages and advantages. After all, everything is relative and can be used depending on personal preferences.

The history of left-hand traffic The preferences and choices for countries are the prevailing habits, the mentality of the population and historical features. Even in ancient times, when there were carriages and riders, there was a division of the road into right and left sides. It was better for wagons to keep to the left side of the road, as well as horsemen. When waving the whip with the right hand, there was no need to be afraid of hitting one of the passers-by walking along the road. In modern times, right-hand traffic is more acceptable for most countries. But, there are also a number of countries that prefer left-hand traffic. These are Ireland, Great Britain, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Malta, Barbados, Brunei, India. If you look at the percentage, then up to 35% of all road routes on the planet prefer left-hand traffic. More than 66% of the world's population drives on the right side. More than 72% of all roads are based on right-hand traffic. As you can see, most of the people on the planet prefer left-hand drive. There are countries that, for their own reasons, and more comfort, have changed the left side to the right, these are Nigeria and Sweden. And Samoa has reversed direction. Ukraine, as well as the CIS countries, also adhere to the right-hand traffic. Why do some countries prefer the left side? Let's take the UK for example. It is known from history that in 1776 a law was passed according to which it was allowed to move on London Bridge only on the left side. This was the reason for the order of left-hand traffic, which exists to this day. Great Britain is the first country in Western Europe to officially adopt left-hand traffic and has influenced several other countries. The history of the steering wheel As a rule, for all cars, the driver's seat is located on the side of the oncoming traffic. In countries with right-hand traffic, it is on the left. Where left-hand traffic is used, the driver's seat is on the right. Right hand drive and right-hand traffic existed in European countries until the end of the Second World War. For example, in Russia and the countries of the USSR until 1932, all cars were produced with a right-hand drive. Why then did everything change? Everyone knows the name of the designer Henry Ford, whose name is given to the popular car brand. It was the Ford car that was the first to be produced with a left-hand drive. This model was in production from 1907 to 1927. Now it can be seen in the museum. Prior to this, all cars in America were produced with a right-hand drive. The reason for the steering wheel on the left side was very simple - Henry Ford designed this car with frequent passengers in mind. It was much more convenient, and he placed the gearbox not on the outside of the car, but on the steering column. So gradually, with the advent of American cars in Europe, the traffic system began to change, and many countries preferred the left-hand drive, because of convenience and rationality. Situation in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia Most European countries prefer right-hand traffic. Ireland and the UK drive on the left side of the road. Also, this applies to some countries - English colonies, such as Australia, India. In Africa, the right hand drive was changed to the left of the former British colonies, Ganna, Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. But Mozambique preferred the left-hand drive, due to its proximity to the countries - English colonies. Korea (South and North) changed from right-hand drive to left-hand drive after the end of Japanese rule, in 1946. In the USA, right-hand traffic is used. Previously, until the end of the 18th century in the United States of America, traffic was left-handed, but then changed to right-handed. In North America, some countries use the left hand drive - these are the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda. As for Asian countries, the list is significant: Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Cyprus, Macao, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brunei, Bhutan, East Timor. Australia inherited left-hand traffic from the time of the English colonies. Australia currently uses left-hand drive and right-hand drive. The main differences between right and left-hand traffic The difference between left-hand and right-hand traffic lies in the location of the steering wheel, and the principle of driving. Drivers who, for example, are accustomed to driving in a country with left-hand traffic, will find it a little difficult to adapt to some of the nuances of right-hand traffic. If, for example, a traveler rents a car in a country with a different type of traffic, then he needs to adapt a little and get used to this principle. In general, there is no significant difference. But there are nuances. An interesting fact is that not only the car movement system developed in this direction. Railway traffic also has such rules. Rail transport throughout Europe tends to drive on the left, but vehicles in most European countries drive on the right. Actually, the difference between the left and the right movement is that the whole process is the other way around. (in one case - from left to right, and from right to left) This applies to driving, transitions, driving rules. Everything is exactly the same, only in reverse order. Like a mirror image. Disadvantages and advantages of driving on the left Most people agree that driving on the right is more convenient for people, even for purely physiological reasons. After all, many people are right-handed. Why do some countries still prefer left-hand traffic? It is difficult to answer this question with precision. Perhaps it has historically developed, as, for example, in the UK. Left-hand traffic has one important advantage, and that is the rule of right handicap. In England, where left-hand traffic is preferred, roundabouts are clockwise, not at all like ours. This means that all entrances to the roundabout let all those who are already on the roundabout pass. Therefore, most intersections in the UK look like small squares where there is no need for a traffic light. This saves time. It is very convenient and comfortable. The movement is clear and logical. Most of the maneuvers on the road are not through the oncoming lane. It is much safer and more comfortable for the driver. Some motorists believe that the principle of driving on the left is much more logical and absolutely corresponds to the correct common sense. However, due to the mentality and historical features, this is not suitable for all people. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about any specific disadvantages and advantages. After all, everything is relative and can be used depending on personal preferences.

Prerequisites

Walking is on the right side. Most people (unarmed) seem to walk on the right side.

To lead a horse, to drag a cart - right-handed. In this case, it is more convenient for a person to be on the side of the oncoming stream than on the side of the road - on the one hand, this allows you to avoid a collision, on the other, to stop and talk to the oncoming one.

After they stopped driving on the roads with weapons and suspecting every enemy, right-hand traffic spontaneously began to take shape on the roads, which was mainly due to human physiology, a significant difference in strength and dexterity different hands in the methods of driving heavy horse-drawn carriages drawn by several horses. The peculiarity of the person affected that most people are right-handed. When passing on a narrow road, it was easier to direct the crew to the right to the side of the road or the edge of the road, pulling the right, that is, the most strong hand, reins, holding horses. It is probably for this simple reason that the tradition arose first, and then the norm of passing on the roads. This norm eventually became fixed as the norm of right-hand traffic.

In Russia, back in the Middle Ages, the rule of right-hand traffic developed spontaneously and was observed as natural behavior person. In 1709, the Danish envoy to Peter I, Just Yul, wrote that “in Russia, it is customary everywhere for carts and sleighs, when meeting each other, to drive away, keeping to the right side.” In 1752, the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna issued a decree on the introduction of right-hand traffic on the streets of Russian cities for carriages and cabbies.

In the West, the first law regulating left- or right-hand traffic was the English bill of 1756, according to which traffic on London Bridge was to be on the left side. For violation of this rule, an impressive fine was provided - a pound of silver. And 20 years later, the historic “Road Act” was issued in England, which introduced left-hand traffic on all roads in the country. The same left-hand traffic was adopted on railway. In 1830, on the first Manchester-Liverpool railway line, traffic was on the left.

There is another theory of the appearance of initially left-hand traffic. Some historians suggest that it was more convenient to ride on the left side at the time when horse teams appeared, where the coachmen sat at the top. So, when they drive horses, the whip of a right-handed coachman could accidentally hit passers-by who were walking along the sidewalk. That is why horse-drawn carriages often rode on the left.

Great Britain is considered the main "culprit" of "leftism", which then influenced many countries of the world. According to one version, she brought the same order on her roads from maritime regulations, i.e. at sea, an oncoming ship passed another, which was approaching from the right.

The influence of Great Britain affected the traffic order in its colonies, therefore, in particular, in countries such as India, Pakistan, Australia, left-hand traffic was adopted. In 1859, Queen Victoria's ambassador, Sir R. Alcock, persuaded the Tokyo authorities to also adopt left-hand traffic.

Right-hand traffic is often associated with France, with its influence on many other countries. During the French Revolution of 1789, a decree issued in Paris ordered to move along the "common" right side. A little later, Napoleon consolidated this position by ordering the military to keep to the right side, so that anyone who met the French army would give way to it. Further, such an order of movement, oddly enough, was associated with big politics in early XIX centuries. Those who supported Napoleon - Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain. On the other hand, those who opposed the Napoleonic army: Britain, Austria-Hungary, Portugal - turned out to be "leftist". The influence of France was so great that it influenced many countries in Europe, and they switched to right-hand traffic. However, in England, Portugal, Sweden and some other countries, traffic remained on the left. In Austria, a curious situation has developed in general. In some provinces, the movement was left-hand, and in others right-hand. And only after the Anschluss in the 1930s by Germany, the whole country switched to the right-hand side.

At first, left-hand traffic was also in the USA. But by the end of the 18th century, there was a gradual transition to right-hand traffic. It is believed that the French general Marie-Joseph Lafayette, who made a significant contribution to the struggle for independence from the British crown, "convinced" the Americans to switch to the right-hand traffic. At the same time, left-hand traffic remained in a number of Canadian provinces until the 1920s.

AT different time in many countries, left-hand traffic was adopted, but they switched to new rules. For example, due to the proximity to countries that were former French colonies that have right-hand traffic, the former British colonies in Africa changed the rules. In Czechoslovakia (formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), left-hand traffic was retained until 1938. North Korea and South Korea changed from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1946, after the end of the Japanese occupation.

One of the last countries to switch from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic was Sweden. This happened in 1967. Preparations for the reform began as early as 1963, when the Swedish parliament formed State Commission on the transition to right-hand traffic, which was to develop and implement a set of measures to ensure such a transition. September 3, 1967 at 4:50 am everyone vehicles had to stop, change sides of the road and continue driving at 5:00. For the first time after the transition was installed special mode speed limits.

After the advent of cars in Europe, a real leapfrog was going on. Most of the countries drove on the right side - this custom has been imposed since the time of Napoleon. However, in England, Sweden and even one part of Austria-Hungary, left-hand traffic reigned. And in Italy in different cities Generally there were different rules!

As for the location of the steering wheel, on the first cars in most cases it was on the “wrong” right side for us. And regardless of which side the cars were driving on. This was done so that the driver could better see the overtaken car. In addition, with this arrangement of the steering wheel, the driver could get out of the car directly onto the sidewalk, and not onto the roadway.

The first mass-produced car with a "correct" steering wheel was the Ford T.

Countries that changed the movement

At various times, left-hand traffic was adopted in many countries, but due to the inconvenience associated with the fact that the neighbors of these countries had right-hand traffic, they switched to right-hand traffic. The most famous in history was H-Day in Sweden, when the country switched from driving on the left to driving on the right.

Also, the former British colonies in Africa Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana changed their left-hand drive to right-hand drive due to their proximity to countries - former French colonies that have right-hand traffic. Conversely, the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique changed from right-hand drive to left-hand drive due to its proximity to the former British colonies. North Korea and South Korea changed from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1946, after the end of the Japanese occupation.

Countries with left-hand traffic

Changing sides at the border

On the borders of countries with different directions of movement, road junctions are built, sometimes quite impressive.

Special cases

First cars

On cars produced at the beginning of the 20th century, the location of the steering wheel has not yet been finally determined: often the driver's seat was made from the sidewalk (that is, they made the right wheel for right-hand traffic and the left one for left-hand traffic). In the future, the location of the steering wheel on the side opposite the sidewalk became the standard - this ensures best review when overtaking; in addition, when using the car as a taxi, it makes getting in and out of the passenger more convenient and safer.

post cars

Cars for extracting mail are often made with a “wrong” steering wheel position (for example, such an IZH van was produced in the USSR). This is done for the convenience of the driver, who can now go directly to the sidewalk and is not exposed to unnecessary danger.

Bahamas

Historically, the Bahamas have left-hand drive, but most cars drive around the islands with left-hand drive due to the proximity of the United States, from where such cars are constantly imported.

Russia - East

Regardless of the position of the driver's seat, the headlights are adjusted so that the light is directed slightly towards the curb - in order to illuminate pedestrians and not blind oncoming drivers.

However, the Vienna Convention on traffic says that a car temporarily entering the country must comply with the technical standards of the country in which it is registered.

Other modes of transport

Aircraft

For a number of reasons (imperfect ignition systems and carburetors, which often caused the engine to stop, severe weight restrictions), World War I aircraft had exclusively rotary engines - the engine star rotates with the propeller, and the fuel-oil mixture is fed through a hollow fixed crankshaft. In such engines, the heavy crankcase played the role of a flywheel. The screw, as a rule, was used right, rotating clockwise. because of large mass engine, a reverse torque arose, tending to create a left roll for the aircraft, so turns to the left were performed more vigorously. Because of this, many aviation maneuvers were based on left turns - hence the left pilot's seat.

With the improvement of ignition systems, rotary engines gave way to two-row and star-shaped, which have many times less reverse torque. Pilots (already peaceful) navigated along the existing roads (and in the desert area, where there are no roads, furrows were made). When the planes (with a well-established left seat), flying along the road towards each other, needed to pass each other, the pilots gave to the right - hence the right-hand traffic with the left seat of the main pilot.

There is another reason related to anatomy: the pilot holds the control stick with his right hand in front of him at chest level, left hand- below, approximately at the level of the armrest, controls the engine using the throttle. With this position, it is more convenient to look down on the left side, since the right hand makes it difficult to lean to the right.

Helicopters and ships

Almost everywhere (except inland rivers) left-hand traffic with the right seat is used. This allows you to see traffic on the starboard side (which must be skipped).

The seat of the main pilot on the only serial tiltrotor V-22 Osprey on the right, "like a helicopter."

Railroad and metro

The pioneer of rail transport is Great Britain, which has imposed left-hand rail traffic on many countries (France, Israel, Russia). Later, Russia switched to right-hand traffic, but even now some of the old Russian lines are left-hand traffic. In Germany, railway traffic has historically been on the right. Therefore, in Alsace-Lorraine (belonging to Germany until the First World War), trains still run on the right side.

Often there is a left-hand movement of escalators in order to reduce the mutual intersection of human flows, or for the convenience of organizing the upper lobby.

Left-hand traffic or right-hand traffic ... How to find out which is better, more convenient, what is more rational in operation, finally?

First time in England

In fact, there is no difference between right and left big difference. Left-hand traffic was first carried out in England (in many European countries, on the contrary, right-hand traffic is accepted). So it went that in the former English colonies the left-hand side was preserved, since the change required a reformatting of the psychology of the inhabitants and, moreover, was quite expensive!

Also rail traffic. In Argentina - left-hand drive, and in many European countries, although cars obey the right-hand drive! That's the way it is, that's the tradition.

Countries where cars drive on the left

Most residents the globe- right-handed. Therefore, the very expediency of most of the right-hand traffic is not in doubt. But it turns out that there are not so few countries in which left-hand traffic is legal. 28% of all roads on the planet are left-handed. 34% of all travel on the left side terrestrial population, and this is not so little. As already mentioned, the main reason for this was the colonial policy in England. Left-hand traffic has spread in the former British colonies and territories once dependent on Great Britain.

Here are the countries of Europe where the traffic is on the left-hand side: Great Britain, Malta, Ireland, Cyprus. In Asia, these are Japan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Macau, Pakistan, Thailand, Nepal, Hong Kong, Singapore and some others. As you can see, there are quite a few of them! In Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Zealand. In Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique. AT Latin America: Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Suriname. Still driving on the left in Japan. You can list and list!

A bit of history

There were even precedents in history when entire states switched from left-handed to right-handed and vice versa. The country of Sweden replaced the left-hand traffic of cars with the right-hand one in one day. This happened in 1967. America, in an effort to disown its "English dependence", made it easier - not in the same way as in England. Namely, this country has made an indisputable contribution to the development of the global automotive industry. And many countries of the world took an example from her!

We add that in modern cars, the driver's seat is closer to the side of the oncoming traffic: on the right in places of left-hand traffic, on the left in countries with right-hand traffic, respectively. This creates additional convenience for the driver, expands the field of view and gives the ability to respond faster.

And from history: in Russia in the Middle Ages, the rules of traffic (right-hand) developed by themselves and were observed as the most natural. And Empress Elizabeth in the distant 1752 issues a decree on right-hand traffic on the streets of Russian cities for cab drivers and carriages.

And in the west, the first law that would regulate traffic on the streets was the English bill of 1756, in which traffic was to be carried out on the left side.