Why is there left-hand and right-hand traffic in the world? Why do people drive on the left in England?

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

For the first time in England

Essentially, there is no difference between right- and left-handedness. big difference. Left-hand traffic first began in England (in many European countries, on the contrary, right-hand traffic is accepted). And so it happened that in the former English colonies the left-handedness was preserved, since the change required reformatting the psychology of the inhabitants and was also quite expensive!

Also the railway traffic. In Argentina - left-hand drive, and in many European countries, although cars obey right-hand drive! This is how it happened, this is the tradition.

Countries where cars drive on the left

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

Here are the European countries where cars drive on the left: 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 lot of them! In Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Zealand. In Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique. In Latin America: Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Suriname. Driving on the left side of the road in Japan. You can list and list!

A little history

There were even precedents in history when entire states switched from left-leaning to right-leaning and vice versa. The country of Sweden replaced left-hand traffic with right-hand traffic within one day. This happened in 1967. America, in an effort to disown its “English dependence,” made it simpler - not like in England. Namely, this country has made an undeniable contribution to the development of the global automotive industry. And many countries on the planet took their example from her!

Let us add that in modern cars the driver’s seat is located closer to the side of oncoming traffic: on the right in places with left-hand traffic, on the left in countries with right-hand traffic, respectively. This creates additional comfort for the driver, expands the field of view and gives the ability to react faster.

And one more thing from history: in Russia in the Middle Ages, the rules of traffic (right-hand drive) developed by themselves and were observed as the most natural. And Empress Elizabeth, back in 1752, issued 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 had to be carried out on the left side.

Left-hand traffic is business card England, as well as some other countries. But in Europe, the UK 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 carriages rode around London. Passing on the right, the coachman could accidentally hit people on the sidewalk with his whip. That's why everyone drove on the left.

Some researchers believe that driving on the left came to the British Isles from the Romans, who once conquered them. There it was also more convenient to ride a horse on the left, and hold the sword in right hand. This would allow us to quickly repulse the attackers ourselves. strong hand.

In addition, the English bill introduced in 1756 worked in favor of the “left” movement. It said that on London Bridge there is now only traffic on the left. Violation of the rule was subject to a large fine.

Exactly 20 years after the bill, a law on driving on the left was passed throughout England. This method of traveling by car is still relevant today.

Marine explanation

For a long time, the fate of Great Britain was connected with the sea. After all, only steamships and ships went to the islands. They were the link between England and the rest of the world. Therefore, maritime traditions are closely woven into the way of life of the British.

Previously, ships passed ships on the left. And for a country so closely connected with the sea, it is not surprising that this custom has become a land custom.

Today, overtaking on the right is accepted in navigation, but what happened before is a completely different story.

Countries that followed the UK

States using left-hand traffic made their choice influenced by 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 pattern of movement as the only correct one;
Political reason. Thanks to Napoleon, France set the pace among other countries in choosing sides of the road. Those who supported Napoleon also introduced a right-wing scheme. And those who were against chose the left side.

The friendship between England and Japan resulted in the introduction of a left-hand drive system for the second country. New law was adopted in 1859. And it is valid today.

When the colonies of England in the United States gained freedom, they switched to driving on the right, but previously they also drove there, keeping to the left. This was the Americans' response to the occupiers.

What is the situation with left-hand traffic in the world?

The world community is 72% made up of those who choose to travel on the right. And only 28% of those who drive on the left.

IN North America In the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados, traffic is on the left.

IN South America This is the situation in Suriname and Guyana.

And in Europe, England, Ireland and Malta drive on 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

Moving from one side to the other is not so easy. For example, in Sweden they switched to right-hand traffic due to large quantity suitable for this car. We made the transition on a specially designated day.

The former colonies of England in the United States made their choice as a sign of protest against the former occupiers.

South Korea, having escaped from Japanese oppression, also changed “left” to “right”. They did the same in China.

Features of driving on the left

Tourists who come to a country where traffic is on the left for the first time note the inconvenience of switching to a different driving style.

Some people experience fear when changing directions. 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 while driving is life-threatening.

Driving on the left side is not difficult, the main thing is to carefully look at the signs and markings, and also take your time. A few days of practice on the crowded streets - and now you can go onto the main avenues of London.

To make the task easier, you can build a detailed route in the navigator, and also search in advance on the map for detours and places to park your car. In addition to all this, in every country there are courses that help you learn to drive from a new perspective.

The consequence of driving on the left is more simple rules movement, as well as a certain freedom for those who wish to be polite along the way.

For example, there are stories that English gentlemen advocated driving on the left, as it allowed them to freely shake hands at low speeds, and then drive away without problems.

Millions of motorists argue about which is better: driving on the right or on the left. But Great Britain made its choice a long time ago, and it seems that it has no intention of changing it.

England is very different from many other European countries. She has a special culture rich history and their traditions, which have turned into habits. And for the British, driving on the left is as natural as oatmeal for breakfast. In the UK they even believe that this is the only way to travel that is the most reliable, convenient and safe.

To understand where the division of automobile traffic on the roads of the world into left-hand and right-hand traffic came from, you should plunge into history. In ancient times, traffic was mainly on the left. 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 grab the weapon with his right hand and immediately be ready for a skirmish. This is what they thought in Ancient Rome. Probably, this 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, human physiological characteristics came to the fore. Again, the question concerned the convenience for right-handers. When driving a cart on narrow roads, it was more convenient for the driver to ride on the right side in order to confidently control the horses with a strong hand, directing them to the side when meeting another cart. Over the centuries, this style of travel has become the norm in many countries.

In 1776, the first regulation was issued in Europe traffic. The first to adopt it was Great Britain, which established left-hand traffic on its territory. What prompted this decision is still unknown. Probably the country wanted to stand out from the rest of the mainland. Introduction of left-hand traffic across vast territories of the colonies British Empire, as well as allied countries. Today these include what is now India, Australia and Pakistan. And on the mainland at that time there was magnificent France with the allies, who began to use right-hand traffic. Here, too, the colonies of the European state followed their center. As a result, the world was divided into two camps. We see the consequences of such a “division” to this day.

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

By the way, the history of adopting the left side for driving in Japan is strange. Its roots go back to the heyday of the samurai. The valiant warriors at that time rode on horses with swords on their left sides. The famous katana was tucked into the belt, so the sword simply stuck out in the left side, protruding half a meter! Apparently, fearing that their swords would get caught and thus provoke a fight, the samurai began to use the principle of left-hand movement. In the years 1603-1867, a tradition was established instructing 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 among the Japanese and has become a general rule over time. And in the mid-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 steam locomotives, which the Asians borrowed from the British, who drove on the left. The first horse-drawn trams also ran on the left side of the road.

How is left-hand traffic different from right-hand traffic and what are the advantages of each side? Both types of movement involve different design cars. For right-hand drive 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 located on the right. The location of the windshield wipers varies. But the arrangement of the pedals in the order of clutch, brake, gas has today become the standard for right-hand drive cars, although it was originally intended for left-hand drive cars. It is worth noting that driving on the left is safer for right-hand drive cars. In a collision, the impact falls on the left side and the driver is less likely to be injured. Right-hand drive cars are stolen much less often. The right-hand drive allows the driver to get out of the car not onto the roadway, but onto the sidewalk, which is much safer. But overtaking on the road in a right-hand drive car is inconvenient.

Historically, it happened that Most countries in the world have adopted the right-hand traffic rule.. But there are also a number of countries where traffic is on the left. The most ardent 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.

Thus, it is assumed that the first country in which left-hand traffic was adopted was England, since shipping was developed here and ships moved exclusively on the left. 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 occurrence.

1. History of steering wheel position

The history of traffic rules, and as a consequence the history of the steering wheel position, goes back to ancient times. Historians suggest that the Romans came across the first rules. Presumably that in 50 BC Gaius Julius Caesar created a number of rules, to whom the cab drivers, the so-called carriage drivers, had to obey.

Also, presumably in Rome there was a rule for driving on the left. This is evidenced by one of the found Roman denarius, which depicts two horsemen riding along the left side. Most likely this is due to the fact that most of the population is right-handed, including horsemen, and they were forced to hold weapons in their right hands.

When the times of knights, horsemen and carriages faded into the past, the question of traffic rules arose again, 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 the majority European countries right-hand traffic was adopted, in England, Sweden and partly in Austria-Hungary- left-handed. In Italy the movement was mixed. All this did not pose a danger, 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 this would make it easier for the driver to overtake. Moreover, the right-hand steering wheel was reflected in the layout of the engine components. In order to reduce the length of the rods, the magneto was located on the right side of the engine. Over the years, the number of cars has increased, and the question of safety when overtaking has arisen. The first to produce a car with left-hand drive was the world-famous Ford corporation. In 1908, the legendary model "T".

After this, the Europeans who produced public cars also switched to “left-hand drive,” but manufacturers of high-speed brands maintained 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 onto the sidewalk.

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

2. The situation in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia

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

So, after the advent of cars in Europe, there was complete confusion, which was associated specifically with right-hand and left-hand traffic. Most countries adhered to the right-hand drive, which was adopted since the reign of Napoleon. At the same time, countries such as Great Britain, Sweden and partly Austria-Hungary adhered to 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 Great Britain, Ireland, Malta, as well as Cyprus (if we consider it Europe).

In Asia much more countries who drive on the left, in particular this applies to 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 that drive on the left, namely: South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, as well as Swaziland and Lesotho.

The United States drove on the left until the end of the 18th century, when there was a gradual transition to driving on the right. 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 British crown. As for Canada, until the 20s of the 20th century they drove on the left. But in such countries Latin America, like Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Antigua, Barbuda and the Bahamas still drive on the left.

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

While the UK is seen as the main culprit behind driving on the left, France has largely contributed to driving on the right. So, in 1789 during the Great French Revolution a decree was issued in Paris, which clearly stated to everyone vehicles move on the right side, that is, on the common side. 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

Driving on the right and on the left suggests differences in vehicle 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 in which the driver's seat is located in the center, for example, the McLaren F1. They also have differences (left and right). But the arrangement of the pedals is in order, the brake, the gas were initially inherent in left-hand drive cars, and today they have 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 left-hand traffic - to the left. Of course, for right-handed people it is initially quite difficult to switch to driving on the left, but it’s enough to try a few times and everything will quickly fall into place.

4. Disadvantages and advantages of driving on the left

When talking about the advantages and disadvantages of driving on the left, one cannot exclude the design of the car, since the safety of the driver and his passengers depends on it. Even though right-hand drive cars are designed for left-hand traffic, they are also used in right-sided cases. Moreover, it is considered safe because 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 stolen much less frequently (in countries with right-hand drive traffic) because many people consider them inconvenient and not 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 driver’s unusual gaze on the right side allows him 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 when driving on the left, but also when the steering wheel is on the right. So, overtaking in 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 disadvantage of driving on the left is its infrequency. Today, more than 66% of the population drive on the right, and switching to the left creates a number of inconveniences. Moreover, only 28% of the world's roads are left-hand drive. There are also no differences between left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic, it’s just that everything happens in a mirror image, which causes drivers who are accustomed to right-hand traffic to get confused.

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

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Editor's response

If there were no England, there would be no right-hand drive. The legitimacy of this statement has been debated in automotive circles for decades.

AiF.ru tried to figure out why the left-hand traffic pattern took root in Great Britain and how this affected other countries of the world.

Why is it common to drive on the left side of the road in England?

The rule of driving on the left side of the road was legislated by the English authorities in 1756. For violation of the bill there was an impressive fine - a pound of silver.

There are two main versions that explain why in the middle of the 18th century England chose to drive on the left.

Roman version

In Ancient Rome, people drove on the left. This approach was explained by the fact that the legionnaires held weapons in their right hands. And therefore, in the event of an unexpected meeting with the enemy, it was more profitable for them to be on the left side of the road. The enemy thus fell directly into the chopping hand. After the Romans conquered the British Isles in 45 AD, "leftism" may have spread to England. This version is supported by the results of archaeological expeditions. In 1998, a Roman quarry was excavated in Wiltshire in southwest England, near which the left track was broken more than the right.

Marine version

Previously, the British could only get to Europe by water. Therefore, maritime traditions have become firmly entrenched in the culture of this people. In the old days, English ships had to pass on the left side of an oncoming ship. Subsequently, this custom could spread to roads.

In modern international rules For shipping traffic, right-hand traffic is fixed.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

How did English “leftism” spread throughout the world?

Majority leftist countries We chose this particular traffic pattern due to the following circumstances:

Colonial factor.

Even in the middle of the last century, Great Britain was an empire on which the sun never set. Most of the former colonies scattered around the world decided to continue driving on the left after gaining independence.

Political factor.

During the Great French Revolution, a decree was issued which ordered all residents of the republic to move on the “common” right side of the road. When did he come to power? Napoleon Bonaparte, the traffic pattern became a policy argument. In those states that supported Napoleon - Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain - right-hand traffic was established. On the other hand, those who opposed France: Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, Portugal turned out to be “leftists”. Subsequently, left-hand traffic in these three countries was preserved only in the United Kingdom.

Political friendship with Great Britain contributed to the introduction of “leftism” on the roads in Japan: in 1859 Queen Victoria's Ambassador Sir Rutherford Alcock convinced the authorities of the island state to accept driving on the left.

When did right-hand traffic become established in Russia?

In Russia, the rules for right-hand traffic developed back in the Middle Ages. Danish envoy to Peter I Just Yul in 1709 he wrote that “in Russian Empire Everywhere it is customary for carts and sleighs, when meeting each other, to pass each other, keeping to the right side.” In 1752 Empress Elizaveta Petrovna enshrined this norm in law by issuing a decree on the introduction of right-hand traffic for carriages and cab drivers on the streets of the empire’s cities.

Countries that changed traffic

History knows many examples when countries switched from one traffic pattern to another. States did this for the following reasons:

“To spite yesterday’s occupiers”

The US switched to driving on the right side of the road after declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776.

Korea switched to driving on the right after the end of the Japanese occupation in 1946.

Geographical feasibility

Many former British colonies in Africa switched to driving on the right in the mid-1960s and early 1970s. Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana did this for convenience: they were surrounded by “right-riding” former French colonies.

Sweden is the last country in Europe to change direction. In 1967, the so-called H-Day took place there, when all the cars in the kingdom changed lanes. The reason for the transition to “law” lay not only in geography, but also in economics. Most of the countries where Swedish-made cars were sold used left-hand drive.

Swedish "H" day. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

In 2009, Samoa switched to driving on the left. This was due to a large number used right-hand drive cars that were supplied to the country from Australia and New Zealand.

"Left" exceptions

In right-leaning countries there is room for left-wing exceptions. So, on the small street of General Lemonnier (350 meters long) in Paris, people move on the left side. There are small areas with left-hand traffic in Odessa (Vysoky Lane), in Moscow (passage on Leskova Street), in St. Petersburg (embankment of the Fontanka River) and in Vladivostok (Semyonovskaya Street in the section from Aleutskaya Street to the intersection with Okeansky Prospekt, as well as on Mordovtseva street).

Which movement is safer?

According to experts, which side you are driving on does not affect the degree of traffic safety - it is just a matter of habit.

Countries with left-hand traffic

The global ratio of right-hand to left-hand roads is 72% and 28%, with 66% of the world's drivers driving on the right side and 34% driving on the left.

North America