The car has been a regular part of life for over a hundred years. Despite this, there remains a divide in the world regarding one fundamental aspect of driving: the side of the road one should use. This ongoing disagreement has resulted in billions of dollars in unnecessary development expenses for car manufacturers and complicates the process of owning classic cars from abroad for enthusiasts. How did we arrive at this point—and would you believe that at least part of it relates to America’s quest for independence? The Drive’s Editor-in-Chief Kyle Cheromcha elaborates.
Right-side driving is overwhelmingly the global standard; around 150 nations—about 70%—drive on the right. The left side features roughly 60 countries. Sounds like a clear victory, doesn’t it? But several of these nations are heavily populated, such as India and Indonesia. Others exert significant influence, particularly within the automotive sector. Great Britain, Japan, and Australia are all famously left-side drivers, and they each played a key role in the car’s evolution.
Speaking of influence and Great Britain, today’s scenario can largely be understood through the historical presence of England’s empire. Countries like India, Australia, and many African nations that drive on the left are former British colonies. British impact even swayed the Dutch in South Africa to abandon their original customs by opting for left-side driving. Japan was also significantly shaped by early industrial relationships with the U.K., which included support from British magnates who assisted in constructing their now-prominent railway networks.
However, a number of other former British colonies are included among the right-side driving nations globally—like the U.S. and Canada. So, aside from our blatant disregard for old-world traditions, why did America ultimately choose a different path from the British? As is often the case, part of the answer points to France.
Going back to the era of horse-drawn carriages and noblemen with lances, French etiquette dictated that slower “traffic” on shared roads remain to the right. This applied to individuals on foot—essentially peasants. Those moving at greater speeds were permitted to pass on the left. Lane rules decreed by royal mandate? Not such a ludicrous concept, right?
Unfortunately for highway drivers in general, that idea didn’t endure. Following the French Revolution, being noble became a liability, leading affluent citizens to mingle with the lower classes, opting to travel on the right to better avoid potential harm from the masses.
Have you ever intentionally driven as far right as possible in a notably speedy vehicle to steer clear of the long arm (and radar) of the law? Same mentality.
However, in the 1750s, France formalized the keep-right convention into law. If this was the entirety of the story, we wouldn’t require an explanation. So, why didn’t this practice gain global traction? To find out, we need to revisit the British—and look back another 450 years to Pope Boniface.
In 1300, Boniface declared that Christianity would rise above the grim aspects of daily existence if followers got up from their dirt floors and took a few steps, hence he proclaimed the first Christian holy year—or Jubilee—and assured believers that they’d be rewarded for making the long journey to Rome to visit the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul 15 times each. If you were native, that number was 30.
Despite the plagues and conflicts that had drastically diminished Europe’s populace in the 1200s, this still resulted in a significant influx of pedestrians on Europe’s primitive roads, prompting a new decree: foot traffic should keep left. Christians returning to England (which has retained its general structure from then to now) brought this practice back. It wasn’t until massive migrations during Europe’s colonial period that resistance to this custom would begin to appear.
That’s right. We’re referencing America, folks.
In the United States, “smoldering resistance” to old-world customs significantly influenced our driving regulations, but practicality was the foremost motivator (pun somewhat intended). This was primarily due to the Conestoga wagon, which lacked a front seating position for the driver. Instead, it was operated from a platform jutting from the left side of the wagon. Naturally, when two wagons faced each other head-on, they would both shift to their right to allow drivers to maintain visibility and control as they passed.
This practice persisted, and as U.S. roadways evolved, states enacted “keep right” as the law of the land. The rest is history.
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### Reasons Behind Why Two Billion People Drive on the Left Side of the Road
Operating vehicles on the left side of the road is a tradition that spans centuries and is presently observed by around two billion individuals globally. This article delves into the historical, cultural, and practical reasons that underlie this driving practice.
#### Historical Context
1. **Ancient Practices**: The roots of left-side driving can be traced back to ancient societies. In medieval Europe, knights opted to keep their right hand free for drawing swords, leading them to travel on the left side of the road. This approach was intended to enhance safety during encounters and minimize conflicts.
2. **British Influence**: The establishment of left-side driving is primarily attributed to the British. In the 18th century, the British government imposed a regulation mandating that all traffic should adhere to the left. This rule was further reinforced with the passage of the Highway Act of 1835, which unified road regulations throughout England.
#### Colonial Expansion
As the British Empire grew, so too did the customs of left-side driving. Nations and territories colonized by the British frequently embraced this driving standard. This includes countries like Australia, India, and several Caribbean islands. The impact of British colonialism was pivotal in cementing left-side driving in these areas.
#### Cultural Factors
1. **Local Customs**: In various cultures, local traditions and customs significantly influence driving practices. In nations where left-side driving is prevalent, it has become deeply woven into the social fabric, making it a natural aspect of everyday life.
2. **Tourism and Consistency**: Countries that follow left-side driving tend to draw visitors from other left-driving nations. Upholding consistent traffic regulations aids in facilitating travel and tourism, simplifying navigation for tourists.
#### Practical Considerations
1. **Vehicle Design**: Many vehicles designed for left-side driving are configured with the steering wheel on the right side. This layout enables better visibility of oncoming traffic and pedestrians, improving safety.
2. **Road Infrastructure**: Nations that drive on the left have tailored their road infrastructure, including signs, traffic signals, and roundabouts, to fit this driving method. Transitioning to right-side driving would necessitate substantial investments in infrastructure modifications.
3. **Safety Statistics**: Certain research indicates that left-side driving could potentially lead to lower accident rates in specific settings. The arrangement of vehicles and the flow of traffic may affect driver behavior and safety outcomes.
#### Global Distribution
Currently, approximately 35% of the global population drives on the left side of the road. This encompasses countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, and New Zealand. The motivations for maintaining this convention differ, but they often stem from historical ties, cultural identity, and practical considerations.
#### Conclusion
The custom of driving on the left side of the road is a complex interaction of history, culture, and practicality. With two billion individuals adhering to this system, it illustrates a rich history of tradition and adaptation. Understanding these motivations offers insight into how driving norms arise and persist across various cultures.