Why do other countries drive on the left side of the road? Which countries have left-hand traffic: a complete list of states. Why is that? Hypotheses of the emergence of left-hand traffic
Perhaps the most beautiful version of their "leftism" is put forward by the inhabitants of foggy Albion. According to her, in medieval England, knights preferred to ride on the left side of the street, so that it would be more convenient to shake the right hand of a knight traveling towards them, or to fight with him. By the way, besides England itself, most of the countries in which left-hand traffic exists today are former English colonies, and dominions (semi-colonies) - India, Pakistan, Australia and many smaller countries.
The "right-handed" US also has its own historical version of the commitment to right-hand traffic. According to it, the carts of the American pioneers, while traveling across the endless prairies, were harnessed by a "train" - in pairs in two or even three rows, and a coachman - postilion sat on the front left horse, it was more convenient for him to drive the team, and sit on the horse, and get off her. Accordingly, the movement was right-handed.
In Russia, traffic on roads and streets was traditionally right-handed, and in 1752 this tradition was officially enshrined in the decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Since then, Russia has withstood two invasions of right-hand drive cars - in the 10s of the twentieth century (from Austria-Hungary and England) and in the recent 90s (mainly from Japan), but has not retreated from the established tradition and the accepted standard. Unlike, say, Sweden, which in 1967 switched "from left to right" to meet the standard of most European countries. The only sanctioned deviation from the accepted standard known in Russia is the reception ceremony for the May 9 parade on Red Square, when two ZIL vehicles move in left-hand mode.
Naturally, when traveling to countries with left-hand traffic, our compatriots may experience difficulties, mainly of a psychological nature. An increasing number of Russian tourists prefer to travel by car rented in the country of visit.
Here, if in the country of visit the traffic mode is left-hand, and the very difficulties arise. The main one - the need to shift gears with a “different” (unaccustomed) hand - loses its relevance if the car is equipped with an automatic transmission. But there are still buttons for direction indicators and other control buttons - all of them in a right-hand drive car are located in places that are unusual for a Russian driver, right down to the volume control on the radio. Over time, these problems go away, but at first you need to be extremely careful.
Left-hand traffic creates problems for ordinary, "pedestrian" tourists. It is unusual to cross the street, looking first to the left, and reaching the middle - to the right. In addition, “left-handedness” is by no means a mirror image of “right-handedness”, it has its own characteristics. So, for example, the movement of water transport in all countries, including those with left-hand traffic, is right-hand. Therefore, the only thing left for a tourist from a "right-handed" country is to carefully study the rules and established traditions of movement in the countries of visit and strictly observe them.
The division into right and left sides of the movement began even before the appearance of the first car. Historians are still arguing among themselves which movement in Europe was the original. During the existence of the Roman Empire, horsemen rode on the left so that the right hand in which they held weapons was ready to instantly strike an enemy riding towards them. Evidence was found that the Romans had left-hand traffic: in 1998, in the UK, in the Swindon area, a Roman quarry was excavated, near which the left track was broken more than the right, as well as on a Roman denarius (dated 50 BC - 50 BC) depicted two horsemen riding around on the left side.
Mounting a horse in the Middle Ages was more convenient when driving on the left, since the sword did not interfere with the landing. However, there is an argument against this argument - the convenience of riding on the left or right lane when riding varies depending on the method of riding, and there were not so many warriors compared to the rest of the population. After people stopped taking weapons with them on the road, traffic began to gradually change to the right-hand side. This was explained by the fact that most people are right-handed, and with the advantage of the right hand in strength and dexterity, many things are more comfortable to do while moving on the right side of the road.
When walking (without weapons), while driving a horse and cart, it is more convenient to keep to the right side. On this side, it is more convenient for a person to be close to oncoming traffic in order to stop to talk with oncoming people, and it is easier to hold the reins with the right hand. Knights in tournaments also rode on the right - they held a shield in their left hand, and a spear was placed on the back of a horse, but there is an argument against this argument - the tournaments were just demonstrative "shows" and to real life were not related.
Depending on the type of horse-drawn carriage, the convenience of right- and left-hand traffic varies: it is preferable for single-seat carriages with a seat for the coachman in front to ride on the right side, since when traveling with another carriage, the coachman needs to pull the reins more strongly with his right hand. Crews with a postilion (a coachman driving a team, sitting on one of the horses) also adhered to the right side - the postilion always sits on the left horse to make it easier for him to board and control with his right hand. Multi-seat and open carriages drove on the left side of the road - so the driver could not accidentally hit a passenger or a passer-by walking along the sidewalk with a whip.
In Russia, even under Peter I, right-hand traffic was accepted as the norm, carts and sleighs drove around, as a rule, keeping to the right side, and in 1752, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna issued an official decree on the introduction of right-hand traffic on the streets of Russian cities of carriages and cabs. Among Western countries, for the first time a law on the side of movement was issued in England - it was a bill of 1756, according to which traffic on London Bridge should be on the left side, and in the case of "driving into an oncoming lane", a fine of 1 pound of silver was levied. And only after 20 years the British government issued the historic "Road Act", which spelled out the introduction of left-hand traffic. By the way, the same movement was adopted on the Manchester-Liverpool iron line that opened in 1830. According to one of the assumptions, England took this from the maritime rules, since it was an island state, and the only connection with the rest of the countries was shipping - through them the ship passed another ship that approached it from the right.
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 the maritime rules, that is, 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 of vehicles was adopted. In 1859, the ambassador of Queen Victoria, Sir R. Alcock, persuaded the Tokyo authorities to also accept left-hand traffic.
Right-hand traffic is often associated with France, with its influence on many other countries. During the Great 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. Further, such an order of movement, strange as it may seem, was connected with big politics in early XIX century. 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 European countries and they switched to right-hand traffic. However, in England, Portugal, Sweden and some other countries, the traffic remained on the left. In Austria, a curious situation has developed in general. In some provinces, the movement was left-handed, and in others, right-handed. And only after the Anschluss in the 30s with Germany, the whole country switched to the right-hand side.
In the beginning, left-hand traffic was also in the USA. But, probably, the freedom of the Americans was expressed, in contrast to the British, to do the opposite. 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, Canada until the 20s of the twentieth century retained left-hand traffic.
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. On September 3, 1967, at 4:50 am, all vehicles had to stop, change sides of the road, and continue at 5:00 am. For the first time after the transition, a special speed limit regime was established.
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 there were generally 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. By the way, the first mass-produced car with a “correct” steering wheel was the Ford T.
Left hand traffic is calling card England and some other countries. But in Europe, Great Britain is considered the only country where it is customary to drive on the left. What is the reason for this phenomenon?
Left-hand traffic: historical background
According to historians, the left side of the road was chosen back in the days when horse-drawn carts traveled around London. Driving on the right, the driver could accidentally hit people on the sidewalk with a whip. Therefore, everyone drove on the left.
Some researchers believe that left-hand traffic came to the British Isles from the Romans, who once conquered them. It was also more convenient to ride a horse on the left, and hold the sword in the right hand. This would allow for a quick rebuff to the attackers with the strongest hand.
In addition, the English bill, introduced in 1756, worked in favor of the "left" movement. It said that on London Bridge now there is only traffic on the left. There was a heavy fine for breaking the rule.
Exactly 20 years after the bill, a law on left-hand traffic was passed throughout England. This method of transportation by car is still relevant today.
Maritime explanation
For a long time the fate of Great Britain was connected with the sea. After all, only steamboats and ships went to the islands. They then were the link between England and the rest of the world. Therefore, maritime traditions are closely intertwined with the way of life of the British.
Previously, ships bypassed ships on the left. And for a country so closely associated with the sea, it is not surprising that this custom has become land.
Today, overtaking on the right is accepted in navigation.
Countries following the UK
The states that use left-hand traffic made their choice under the influence of the following factors:
- colonial reason. Even in the last century, England had many colonies under its control. Therefore, after the abolition of colonization, many states retained the usual traffic pattern as the only true one;
- political reason. Thanks to Napoleon, France set the tone among other countries in choosing the side of the road. Those who supported Napoleon also introduced the right-handed scheme. And those who were against, chose the left side.
The friendship between England and Japan turned into the introduction of a left-hand drive scheme for the second country. A new law was passed in 1859. And it works today.
When the colonies of England in the USA received freedom, they switched to right-hand traffic, but before that they also drove there, keeping to the left side. This was the answer of the Americans to the invaders.
How are things with left-hand traffic in the world?
The global community is 72% percent of those who choose to travel on the right. And only 28% of those who drive on the left.
In North America, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Barbados drive on the left.
AT South America this is the state of affairs in Suriname and Guyana.
And in Europe, England, Ireland and Malta go to the "left". In Asia, 17 countries are committed to driving on the left.
In Africa, there are 13 such countries. And in Oceania, their number is 8. Not so few, if considered in general.
The rest of the world chose the right side of the road to drive. But what is the reason for this choice?
Left and right: reasons for the transition
Going from one side to the other is not easy. For example, in Sweden they switched to right-hand traffic due to the large number of cars suitable for this. We made the transition on a specially designated day.
The former colonies of England in the USA made their choice in protest against the former occupiers.
South Korea, escaping from Japanese oppression, also changed “left” to “right”. The same was done in China.
Driving features on the left
Tourists who first arrived in a country where left-hand traffic operates, note the inconvenience of switching to a different driving style.
Some experience fear when changing sides of the movement. If the above factors are present, you should refrain from independent trips by car. After all, you can always use public transport or a taxi. And overdoing yourself behind the wheel is life-threatening.
It is not difficult to drive on the left side, the main thing is to carefully look at the signs and markings, and also take your time. A few days of practice along the youthful streets - and now you can go to the main avenues of London.
To facilitate the task, you can build a route in detail in the navigator, as well as search in advance on the map for detours and parking spaces. In addition to all this, in each country there are courses where they help to learn how to ride from a new angle.
The consequence of driving on the left is simpler traffic rules, as well as a certain freedom for those who wish to show courtesy along the way.
For example, there are stories that English gentlemen advocated left-hand traffic, as it allowed them to freely shake hands at low speed, and then drive away without problems.
About what is better: driving on the right or on the left, millions of motorists argue. But the UK made its choice a long time ago, and it seems that it is not going to change it.
England is very different from many other European countries. It has a special culture, a rich history and its own traditions that have turned into habits. And left-hand traffic for the British is as natural as oatmeal for breakfast. In the UK, they even believe that this is the only way to travel is the most reliable, convenient and safe.
Currently, in Russia and many other countries, right-hand traffic is accepted on the roads. There are also countries with left-hand traffic. AT modern world these are Ireland, Great Britain, Japan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and a number of African countries. Let's try to figure out why this is the situation.
Traditions of left-hand and right-hand traffic originated long before the invention of the automobile.
According to one version, right-hand traffic arose in Europe during the Middle Ages, when not cars, but riders on horseback drove along the narrow roads between settlements. All of them were armed. In the left hand, the riders held a shield to defend themselves in case of a sudden attack, and therefore they kept to the right side. There is another version of the appearance of right-hand traffic: when the horse-drawn carts were driving apart, it was easier to direct the carriage to the side of the road to the right, pulling the reins with the right hand, which is more developed in most people. Years have passed, vehicles have changed, but the tradition remains...
It is believed that left-hand traffic originated in England. This island state was connected with the outside world only by sea routes, shipping was actively developing. To streamline the movement of ships, the maritime department issued a decree according to which the ships were required to keep to the left side. Later, this rule was extended to highways, and also passed to all countries under the influence of Britain. Some still adhere to it. Another version connects the tradition of left-hand traffic with the fact that when horse-drawn carts moved through the streets, the coachman held a whip in his right hand and, driving horses, could hit pedestrians. Therefore, the carriages had to drive on the left side.
As for our country, 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.
At various times, left-hand traffic was adopted in many countries, 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. North Korea and South Korea switched from driving on the left to driving on the right 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 the State Commission for the transition to right-hand traffic, which was to develop and implement a set of measures to ensure such a transition. On September 3, 1967, at 4:50 am, all vehicles had to stop, change sides of the road, and continue at 5:00 am. For the first time after the transition, a special speed limit regime was established.
Tourists who come to a country with unusual traffic for them are advised, for safety reasons, not to drive a car on their own, but to resort to the services of a driver.
Article on left-hand traffic: countries with this type of traffic, features, Interesting Facts. At the end of the article - a video about right-hand and left-hand traffic.
The content of the article:
Now in most countries there is right-hand traffic, and this applies not only to road transport, but also to rail transport. However, the rules of some countries, for various reasons and internal features, provide for the use of left-hand traffic.
What are these countries and why did they choose to drive on the left side of the road?
A bit of history
For many, it may come as a revelation that for the vast majority of their history, people used the left-hand drive. And only a few centuries ago the situation changed radically, and right-hand traffic began to prevail.
Historians claim that the inhabitants of the Roman Empire were among the first to introduce the rules of the road, and they used it to move forward on the left side of the road.
Proof of this is the Roman denarius, on one side of which is depicted a pair of riders driving around on the left side, as well as traces of wagons found in quarries, which on the left (when viewed from the quarry) had a more distinct trace.
In addition, left-hand traffic at that time was also facilitated by the fact that most of the population were (and remain) right-handed, including riders who needed to hold a weapon in their right hand.
The popularization of the movement on the right side in European countries is attributed to France, in particular to Napoleon, who approved it and spread it not only in France, but also in all territories of the conquered states, which subsequently decided not to change anything.
At the same time, Britain is credited with popularizing left-hand traffic in a number of Asian countries and in Australia - Britain had many colonies in different parts of the world, on whose life it seriously influenced.
In the photo: countries with left-hand traffic
AT this moment There are 46 countries in the world where left-hand traffic is used. The most significant of them are presented below.
United Kingdom
In Britain, the first legal document obliging the population of the country to drive on the left is a bill dated 1756. In it, the authorities obliged everyone to use the right side of the road when moving across London Bridge. And 20 years later, this rule has spread throughout the country, which is still relevant today.
Australia
Australia inherited the left-hand drive rule from England. Australia was a British colony from 1770 to 1901, after which it was a dominion of the United Kingdom until 1931. In 1931, Australia received the status independent state, although its head (as well as the head of other countries of the British Commonwealth) formally remains the Queen of Great Britain.
India
As in the case of Australia, left-hand traffic in India appeared under the influence of the mother country. Interestingly, in almost every city there are unique features of the road, and the rules for moving on the roads in one locality may not be applicable in the neighboring.
Moreover, in this country highways utter chaos reigns, capable of causing genuine amazement even among experienced motorists.
New Zealand
Another country that inherited left-hand traffic from England. It is also worth mentioning the fact that in terms of the number of cars per unit of population, New Zealand is in the TOP-10 countries of the world - its figure is 7 cars per 10 people.
At the same time, control over compliance with traffic rules is entrusted to surveillance cameras, which are equipped with all roads without exception.
Ireland
Ireland is located in close proximity to Britain, which no doubt had a direct impact on the direction of traffic in the country.
One of the distinguishing features of the country is that most of the roads, tunnels and bridges are paid, and not everywhere it is possible to pay in cash.
In addition, Ireland has extremely high fines for traffic violations. So, for an attempt to drive a "hare" on a toll highway, the violator faces a fine of more than 1200 euros.
Singapore
A small country located in southeast Asia, which also drives on the left.
One of the key features of this country is that it is very, very expensive to own a car here. In addition, the authorities of Singapore, in order to combat traffic jams, carefully controls the number of cars - according to local rules, the annual increase in the number of vehicles in the country should not exceed 3%.
Japan
The history of the emergence of left-hand traffic in Japan has two opinions. According to the first, Japanese samurai carried their swords on the left side, therefore, in order not to cling to each other while riding horses, they adhered to left-hand traffic.
The second suggests that driving on the left side in Japan was facilitated by the country's close trade relations with the same Great Britain.
Be that as it may, a nationwide decree on left-hand driving in Japan was adopted in the 18th century, and was finally approved only in 1927.
On the picture: road traffic in Sweden
In the United States, until the end of the 18th century, they adhered to left-hand traffic, until the charioteers moved to wagons drawn by large quantity horses. The fact is that such carts were not equipped with a special place for the “driver”, so he had to sit on the rearmost left horse, so that with his right hand, which is often much stronger than the left, it would be more convenient to control the entire team. In such a situation, it is much more comfortable and safer to move on the right side.
The same principle was taken as a basis by Henry Ford when designing his first car, the steering wheel of which was located precisely on the left side.
Sweden has become the last country in continental Europe to switch from driving on the left to driving on the right. The fact is that all neighboring countries used right-hand traffic, and this created a lot of problems when motorists crossed the border. In addition, the predominant number of produced cars were left-hand drive.
It is curious that the inhabitants of Sweden have been preparing for the transition to right-hand traffic for 4 years. The transition itself took place on September 3, 1967 - exactly at 04:50 all traffic on the streets was stopped, and already from 05:00 it was resumed, but already according to the rules of right-hand traffic. In the history of Sweden, this day is listed as "Day "H", where "H" is an abbreviation for the Swedish word "h?gertrafik", which literally translates as "right-hand traffic".
Currently, there are a sufficient number of cities in the world where there are streets with both left-hand and right-hand traffic. Among them are, for example, Odessa and St. Petersburg.
At the dawn of the automotive industry, the direction of movement had little or no effect on the design of vehicles, but over time, certain trends began to form. peculiarities:
- Left-hand drive vehicles have the steering wheel on the right, while right-hand drive vehicles have the steering wheel on the left. So the driver has better visibility when overtaking, and it is much safer and more convenient for passengers to land on the sidewalk.
- A similar situation is with the wipers located at the base of the windshield. So, in cars with a left-hand drive, in a state of inactivity, they are folded to the right side, and with a right-hand drive, they are folded to the left.
- It is impossible not to recall the checkpoint, which in cars with a left-hand drive is located to the right of the driver, and in a car with a right-hand drive - to the left of him.
Conclusion
About 33% of all roads in the world are right-handed, and this is not so little. Therefore, just in case, before a car trip to foreign countries, it is better to study the traffic rules of those countries whose territory you are going to visit.
Video about right-hand and left-hand traffic:
