In order to understand where the division of car traffic on the roads of the world into left-hand and right-hand traffic came from, one should plunge into history. In ancient times, left-hand traffic was mainly observed. This can be explained by the fact that most people are right-handed. If the rider encountered dangerous strangers on the road, it was easier to draw the weapon with the right hand and immediately be ready for a skirmish. That's what they thought in ancient Rome. Probably, such a rule for the movement of Roman troops began to be observed by ordinary citizens of the empire. Many ancient states followed the Roman example.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the physiological characteristics of man came to the fore. Again, the question was about convenience for right-handed people. When driving a wagon on narrow roads, it was more convenient for the charioteer to drive on the right side in order to confidently control the horses with a strong hand, directing them sideways when meeting with another wagon. Over the centuries, this style of movement has become the norm in many countries.

In 1776, the first traffic regulation was issued in Europe. The United Kingdom was the first to adopt it, establishing left-hand traffic on its territory. What was the reason for such a decision is still not known. Probably, the country wanted to stand out from the rest of the mainland. The introduction of left-hand traffic in the vast territories of the colonies of the British Empire, as well as allied countries. Today these include present-day India, Australia and Pakistan. And on the mainland at that time there was magnificent France with allies who began to use the right-hand traffic. Here, too, the colonies of the European state followed their center. As a result, the world is divided into two camps. We see the consequences of such a "sharing" to this day.

Today, right-hand traffic is more comfortable and most countries adhere to it, the exceptions are: Great Britain, Ireland, Malta, Brunei, Barbados, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, India, Australia.

By the way, the history of the adoption of the left side for driving in Japan is strange. Its roots go back to the heyday of the samurai. Valiant warriors at that time rode on horseback with swords on their left sides. The famous katana was stuck in the belt, so the sword simply stuck out in the left side, sticking out half a meter! Apparently, fearing to be caught by swords and thereby provoke a fight, the samurai began to use the principle of left-hand traffic. In the years 1603-1867, a tradition was established, indicating to everyone who was heading towards the capital to keep to the left. It is possible that this system of movement has since become a habit of the Japanese and has become fixed over time, as a rule. And in the middle of the 19th century, Japan was forced to open up to the world. The Japanese, of course, began to borrow everything from the west. It all started with the first locomotives, which the Asians borrowed from the British, adhering to left-hand traffic. The first horse-drawn trams also moved on the left side of the road.

What is the difference between left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic and what are the advantages of each side? Both types of movement involve different vehicle designs. For right-handed vehicles, the driver's seat and steering wheel are located on the left, for left-hand drive vehicles, the driver's seat and steering wheel are on the right. The location of the windshield wipers is different. But the arrangement of the pedals in the order of clutch, brake, gas has become the standard for right-hand drive cars today, although it was originally intended for left-hand drive cars. It is worth noting that left-hand traffic is safer for right-hand drive cars. In a collision, the impact falls on the left side and the likelihood that the driver will be injured is lower. Right-hand drive cars are stolen much less often. The right steering wheel allows the driver to get out of the car not on the roadway, but on the sidewalk, which is much safer. But overtaking on the road in a right-hand drive car is inconvenient.

If on the world map we paint over countries with left-hand and right-hand traffic in different colors, then we will see that there are much more of the latter. This is also evidenced by statistics: 66% of the population move on the right side of the road, while the remaining 34% move on the left.

It is interesting that in ancient times the situation was the opposite: it was mostly left-hand traffic that was observed. It is known that left-hand traffic was used throughout the territory of the Roman Empire, for which a lot of evidence has been found, ranging from ancient Roman images to studies of the track of ancient Roman roads. This can be explained by the fact that most people are right-handed, which means that, having caught up with a stranger on the road, in case of danger it was more convenient to grab a weapon with your right hand and immediately be ready for a skirmish. Probably, this rule, adopted for the movement of Roman troops, was soon picked up by other citizens of the empire. Imitating the Romans, left-hand traffic was used in most ancient states.

The modern division of the world into left-hand traffic (in blue) and right-hand traffic

After the fall of the Roman Empire, some general norms that had previously regulated traffic over a vast territory ceased to exist, so the physiological characteristics of a person came to the fore: charioteers, most of whom were right-handed, it was more convenient to drive on the right side, so that on narrow roads with when passing with oncoming traffic, it is more confident to control the horses with a strong hand, directing them to the side. Over the centuries, this habit has become established as a social movement norm in many countries.

In 1776, the first traffic regulation was issued in Europe. The country that adopted it was Britain, which established on its territory ... left-hand traffic. Historians are still arguing what exactly caused this decision. Perhaps this was done in order to "separate" from the rest of the right-wing Europe, with the leading countries of which Britain was in confrontation. Or, perhaps, the officials simply adopted the law from the army naval admiralty, which ordered the oncoming ships of the English crown to disperse to starboard.

The introduction of left-hand traffic in a geographically small metropolis influenced the vast territories of the colonies of the British Empire, as well as allied countries. First of all, these are the territories of present-day India, Australia and Pakistan, where, by analogy with Britain, left-hand traffic is still used.

September 3, 1962 - Sweden switches to right-hand traffic. On that day, a terrible confusion arose on the streets of Swedish cities

On the other side was France with the allies, who began to use the right-hand traffic. Legislatively in many European countries, it was established during the time of Napoleon. As usual, the colonies of European states followed their center, which divided the world into two camps, the echoes of which we are seeing to this day.

In Russia and neighboring countries, the rule of right-hand traffic developed spontaneously, and, interestingly, the country adopted the law on right-hand traffic earlier than European states - in 1756 during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

Illustration: depositphotos | lunamarina

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Historically, it has been Most countries around the world have right-hand traffic rules.. But, there are a number of countries in which left-hand traffic. The most prominent representatives are UK, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and India. There is no exact data on why this happened, but there are many prerequisites that answer this question.

So, it is assumed that the first country in which left-hand traffic was adopted is England, since shipping was developed here and ships moved exclusively on the left-hand side. But first things first. In this article, we will try to understand the rules of right-hand and left-hand traffic, describe their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the history of their origin.

1. History of the steering wheel

The history of the rules of the road, and as a result, the history of the location of the steering wheel goes back to ancient times. Historians suggest that the Romans encountered the first rules. Presumably that in 50 BC Gaius Julius Caesar created a set of rules to which the cab drivers, the so-called carriage drivers, were supposed to obey.

Also, presumably in Rome, the rule of left-hand traffic was in effect. This is evidenced by one of the found Roman denarius, which depicts two horsemen who are driving around on the left side. Most likely, this is due to the fact that most of the population is right-handed, including riders and they were forced to hold weapons in their right hand.

When the days of knights, horsemen and carriages have sunk into the past, the question arose again about the rules of the road, and, accordingly, on which side the steering wheel should be located. At the beginning of the 20th century, the first cars began to fill the streets en masse. At that time, right-hand traffic was adopted in most European countries, in England, Sweden and partly in Austria-Hungary- left side. In Italy the movement was mixed. All this was not dangerous, since there were not many cars, and their speed was minimal.

In countries with right-hand traffic, it is logical that the steering wheel was located on the right. It was believed that it was easier for the driver to overtake. Moreover, the right-hand drive was reflected in the layout of the engine components. In order to shorten the length of the rods, the magnetos were located on the right side of the engine. Over the years, the number of cars has increased, and the question of safety during overtaking has arisen. The world-famous corporation Ford was the first to produce a car with a left-hand drive. In 1908, the legendary model "T".

After that, the Europeans who produced public cars also switched to the “left-hand drive”, but the manufacturers of high-speed brands kept the “right-hand drive” rule. According to another assumption, it follows that the location of the steering wheel on the left side is convenient because the driver does not go out onto the roadway, but safely gets on the sidewalk.

An interesting situation has developed in Sweden. Until 1967, left-hand traffic operated in this country, despite the fact that the steering wheel of cars was on the right side. But on September 3, 1967, all cars suddenly stopped and smoothly switched to right-hand traffic. To do this, the Swedes in the capital had to stop traffic for a day in order to change road signs.

2. Situation in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia

The situation with right-hand and left-hand traffic in different countries of the world developed differently. It is worth considering the brightest representatives who for many years set the rules of the road, based not only on the location of the steering wheel, but also on the physiological characteristics of a person.

So, after the appearance of cars in Europe, there was a complete mess, which was associated precisely with right-hand and left-hand traffic. Most countries adhered to the right-hand traffic, which has been adopted since the reign of Napoleon. At the same time, countries such as Great Britain, Sweden and partly Austria-Hungary adhered to the left-hand traffic. As mentioned above, in Italy, each city had its own rules. Today, left-hand traffic is present in such European countries as the UK, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus (if we consider it Europe).

In Asia There are many more countries that drive on the left, notably Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Macau, Brunei, Bhutan, East Timor and the Maldives.

As for Africa, there are also several countries with left-hand traffic, namely: South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, as well as Swaziland and Lesotho.

The United States kept to the left-hand traffic until the end of the 18th century, when there was a smooth transition to the right-hand traffic. There is an opinion that this change was facilitated by a general of French origin, who fought for the independence of the "states" from the crown of Britain. As for Canada, until the 20s of the 20th century, they adhered to left-hand traffic. But in such Latin American countries as Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, as well as Antigua, Barbuda and the Bahamas, they still drive on the left.

Supports the rules of left-hand traffic and Australia, which is the second country in the world in terms of the number of cars per capita. Countries such as New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Nauru and Tonga.

While the UK is seen as the main culprit in left-hand traffic, right-hand traffic was largely driven by France. So, in 1789, during the French Revolution, a decree was issued in Paris, which clearly indicated that all vehicles should move on the right side, that is, on the common people. Napoleon also played a significant role, who at one time ordered the army to stay on the right side. All this had an impact on many European countries.

3. The main differences between right and left-hand traffic

Right-hand and left-hand traffic implies differences in car designs. As a rule, the driver's seat and steering wheel are located on the left in cars that are designed for right-hand traffic, respectively, in cars for left-hand traffic, the driver's seat and steering wheel are on the right. There are also cars that provide for the location of the driver's seat in the center, for example, McLaren F1. They also have differences (left and right). But the arrangement of the pedals is in order, the brake, gas was originally inherent in left-hand drive cars, and today it has become the standard for right-hand drive cars.

In general, the main rule of right-hand traffic is to stay on the right side, and on the left-hand side - to the left. Of course, for right-handed people it is initially quite difficult to switch to left-hand traffic, but it is enough to try a few times and everything falls into place quickly enough.

4. Disadvantages and advantages of left-hand traffic

Speaking about the advantages and disadvantages of left-hand traffic, one cannot exclude the design of the car, since the safety of the driver and his passengers depends on it. Although right-hand drive cars are designed for left-hand traffic, they are also operated with a right-hand drive. Moreover, it is considered safe, since in a collision the impact falls on the left side and the likelihood that the driver will not be injured is much higher.

Right-hand drive cars are much less likely to be stolen (in countries with right-hand traffic), as many consider them uncomfortable and non-functional. Also, the location of the steering wheel on the right side allows the driver to get out of the car not onto the roadway, but onto the sidewalk, which is also much safer.

The unusual look of the driver on the right side allows you to assess the situation on the road from a different angle, which can lead to a reduction in unforeseen situations. At the same time, there are a number of disadvantages that play an important role not only in left-hand traffic, but also in right-hand drive. So, overtaking a right-hand drive car is quite inconvenient. The problem can be solved by installing a well-thought-out mirror system.

In general, the only drawback of left-hand traffic is its lack of prevalence. Today, more than 66% of the population adhere to the right-hand traffic, and the transition to the left-hand side creates a number of inconveniences. Furthermore, only 28% of the world's roads are left-hand drive. There are also no differences between left-hand and right-hand traffic, it’s just that everything happens with a mirror image, which makes drivers who are used to right-hand traffic get confused.

There are also exceptions to the rules. So, in Odessa and St. Petersburg there are streets with left-hand traffic, which are designed to unload the streets from a large number of cars. Also, in Paris, on the Avenue General Lemonnier (the only street in Europe), traffic is kept to the left.

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Even before the invention of the automobile, man noticed that following a common agreement to drive on one side of the road helps to reduce vehicle collisions and traffic jams. As car travel became common, most governments adopted an agreement for drivers to drive on the right side of the road. However, some states, due to various features, have preferred left-hand driving. Read more about how many countries have made such a decision and why - in our review material.

What influences the choice of direction in different countries

Today, a third of the world's population drives on the left side of the road, and almost as many of all the world's freeways are left-handed. Thus, right-hand traffic is used much more often. This is explained by historical traditions and the fact that most people on the planet are right-handed. So, when riding in horse-drawn sleds, the rider could quickly turn to the right (in order, for example, to avoid a collision with another carriage or a traveler on a narrow road) than to the left, since it is the right hand that is stronger and better developed.
Later, when horseless carriages, controlled by a lever, appeared, the drivers also had to make considerable efforts to control. It was better to control with the right hand. Most likely, it was this physiological feature that led to the fact that right-handed driving became traditional, and later normalized.

Important! Despite the assurances of right-hand drive adherents about the greater safety of left-hand drive, experts argue that the direction of movement does not in any way affect the number of accidents. Safety on highways can only be ensured by proper transport and strict adherence to traffic rules.

However, there are other versions that claim that movement along the left side of the road appeared earlier (in particular, this is how they moved in the Roman Empire). And the first documented law that ordered the citizens of the country to keep to the left was the bill of 1756 adopted in England. It talked about the norm to move in this way on London Bridge. The law also established a fine for violation - a pound of silver.
A quarter of a century later, in Britain, at the legislative level, it was prescribed to drive on the left side of all the roads of the state. Later, since Great Britain became a colonial power, all its colonies also had to obey this law and switch to left-hand traffic. So, the tradition of such a ride came to India, Pakistan and Australia, where the influence of England was very high.

If we talk about the factors that influenced the choice of the direction of movement in Europe and the United States, then historians argue that France and its authority among the world community in the era of Napoleon played a huge role here. Thus, countries that supported the policy of the French emperor (in particular, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain) followed the French and legalized right-hand driving.

Those who did not share it and were in opposition to the head of France preferred to move on the left side. We are talking about such countries as the UK already mentioned above, as well as Austria-Hungary and Portugal.
Historical traditions to influence the choice of direction of movement did not stop at the above countries. Next in line was Japan - the land of the rising sun. According to historians, the samurai fastened their sword on their left side. And in order not to catch each other during horse races, they dispersed, turning to the right. The national rule of left-hand traffic was formed in the XVIII century. And finally the Japanese approved it at the legislative level in 1927.

An interesting fact is that at first America was a supporter of "leftism", but under the influence of the French general Marie-Joseph Lafayette in the 18th century, she preferred right-handed driving.

There are a number of countries that, over time and probably under the influence of neighboring powers in the 20th century, changed from left-hand driving to right-hand driving. These include, in particular, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Korea, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone.
The reverse transition - from the left steering wheel to the right one - was made only by 2 countries: Samoa and Mozambique. The first is because a substantial number of used cars intended for right-hand drive were brought into the state. The second - under the influence of neighboring powers.

Did you know? The Swedes have been preparing to switch to right-hand driving for 4 years. On September 3, 1967, at 4:50 a.m., traffic stopped, and from 5 a.m. all drivers moved to the other side of the freeway. In Swedish history, this date is called "Day "H"": from Swede.« hogertrafik» - « right-hand traffic» .

How the direction influenced the design of vehicles

At the dawn of the automotive industry, there was no clear placement of the steering wheel on the left or right - cars were produced with different placements. However, over time, the tradition of placing the steering wheel on the left became entrenched - it was more convenient to disembark taxi passengers in right-hand traffic and more comfortable to review when you go to overtake. In addition to the actual placement of the steering wheel and the driver's seat, there are other structural differences in cars that were influenced by this fact. So, the device of the wipers responsible for cleaning the windshield is different. In left-hand drive cars at rest, they are folded to the right side, in right-hand drive cars - to the left. The wiper switch on left-hand drive vehicles is located on the right side of the steering column.

As for the turn switches, today they are located in all cars in the same way (although until recently there were models where they were on the left).

It should be noted that manufacturers of modern cars for the mass buyer do not follow the lead of drivers accustomed to left-hand traffic, and to save costs, cars produce models with only one difference - the location of the driver's seat.
The rest of the parameters for left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars are usually the same (with the exception of certain brands).

Did you know? The manufacturer of sports cars McLaren in 1992-1998 produced a model called the McLaren F1, in which the steering wheel and driver's seat were located in the center of the cabin. In 1993-2005 it was the fastest car in the world.

List of countries with left-hand traffic, relevant for 2018

Below is an up-to-date list of states where only left-hand traffic is legally fixed.
Countries marked in green on the map - with right-hand traffic, yellow - with left-hand traffic

Europe

Among European states, there are only 4 ardent representatives with legalized left-hand driving:

• Great Britain;
• Malta;
• Ireland;
• Cyprus.

Asia

Quite a lot of countries in Asia, where they move on the left side of the roads. These include:

• Bangladesh;
• Brunei;
• India;
• Indonesia
• Japan;
• Malaysia;
• Maldives;
• Nepal;
• Pakistan;
• Singapore;
• Thailand;
• Sri Lanka;
• East Timor.

Africa

On the African continent, as well as in Asia, there are 13 powers and island states that adhere to the "leftism" when traveling by car.
Among them are:

• Botswana;
• Kenya;
• Lesotho;
• Mauritius;
• Mozambique;
• Namibia;
• Seychelles;
• Republic of South Africa;
• Swaziland;
• Tanzania;
• Uganda;
• Zambia;
• Zimbabwe.

South America

On the South American continent, the vast majority of powers have rules that require keeping the right side when driving cars.
And only 2 countries prefer driving on the left side of the road:

• Suriname.

Important! If a person going on a trip plans to travel in other countries in his own car or rent a car, then he needs to first familiarize himself with the direction of movement in those areas that he is going to visit.

Oceania

Among the states and islands of Oceania, the left side when driving on freeways adhere to:

• Australia;
• Fiji;
• Republic of Kiribati;
• Republic of Nauru;
• New Zealand;
• Papua New Guinea;
• Samoa;
• Solomon islands;
• Kingdom of Tonga;
• Tuvalu.

In addition, driving on the left side of the road is carried out in the Bahamas, in the Lesser Antilles: in Antigua, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent, as well as in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and Jamaica.
Thus, various historical reasons influenced which half of the road people move in one or another country of the world. Residents of 53 countries adhere to the left side of traffic on highways. Right-hand traffic is considered traditional. Accordingly, much more left-hand drive cars are produced. If a person plans to travel to another state by car, then he definitely needs to familiarize himself with the traffic rules in force on his territory. Switching to the "opposite" steering wheel is not easy - you also need to change road signs.

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In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the steering wheel on the first cars was installed in the center of the cabin. With an increase in the number of vehicles, the driver's attention was increasingly focused on oncoming cars, and it is more convenient to do this when the driver is sitting closer to the side of oncoming traffic. This was the main reason for placing the steering wheel on the right or left side. In addition, when using the car as a taxi, the steering wheel on one side makes boarding and disembarking a passenger more convenient and safe.


Why do most roads drive on the right?
There is no single answer. Perhaps this is due to the fact that most people are right-handed. Ordinary residents walked on the right side of the road in order to protect their property from oncoming people, which, as a rule, was worn on the right shoulder.

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Why is there right-hand traffic in Russia?
It is believed that the direction of traffic in Russia was determined on February 5, 1752. Then the Russian Empress Elizabeth I signed a decree, which clearly stated that carts and carriages in the city should keep to the right side of the road.

Why does America drive on the right?
At first, the United States had left-hand traffic, but by the end of the 18th century there was a gradual transition to right-hand traffic. It is believed that this is the merit of the French politician Marie-Joseph Lafayette. After the Ford T became the first mass-produced car with a left-hand drive, other automakers were forced to choose a similar steering wheel arrangement.

Why does Japan drive on the left?
In 1945, the American occupiers organized right-hand traffic in the country. In 1977, the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, by decision of the Japanese government, switched from right-hand traffic to left-hand traffic. The change of traffic was dictated by the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949, which requires member countries to have only one transport system.

Why does England drive on the left?
The left side of traffic was defined by law in 1756. It stated that traffic on London Bridge was to be on the left hand side. After 20 years, the "Road Act" was issued, which introduced left-hand traffic on all roads in the country.

Why do countries change car traffic from one side to the other?
Most often, the change of movement occurs due to inconvenience. When the country is surrounded by neighbors with right-hand traffic, it is logical to also become right-hand drive. For example, Sweden did this when on September 3, 1967, the country switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic (H-day happened).


Another example, Samoa switched to left-hand traffic in 2009 due to the large number of used cars with right-hand drive (in this country, 99% of cars are brought from left-hand drive Australia).


By the way, do you know that during the Victory Parade on May 9, cars drive on the left-hand side, and not on the usual right-hand side? Another feature of our country is