1. How Many Countries Drive on the Right and How Many on the Left
Today, there are about 165 countries that drive on the right side of the road and about 75 countries that drive on the left. [1] If you add up the population of all the countries that drive on the left, it equals about one-third of the world's total population. [1] Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia are among the nations that drive on the left. In contrast, the United States, China, and France drive on the right. [1]
2. Why Britain Drives on the Left: What the Records Tell Us
You might have heard the story that people in the past walked on the left so they could draw their swords with their right hand more easily. However, scholars who have researched this idea have not found any records to prove it is true. [2] What is clearly recorded is that in 1756, a law was written for London Bridge in Britain. This law stated that vehicles crossing the bridge must pass on the left side. [2]
3. Why France Drives on the Right: What the Records Tell Us
It is also common to hear that Napoleon changed France’s traffic rules to the right side. Yet, researchers have not found any records to support this claim either. [3] In fact, records from Paris in 1827, after Napoleon had died, show that drivers did not follow a set rule. They drove on either the right or the left, often crashing into each other. [3]
4. Why the USA Drives on the Right: Large Horse-Drawn Freight Wagons
In the late 18th century, large freight wagons pulled by many horses were used in the United States. These wagons did not have a driver’s seat. Right-handed drivers would sit on the back-left horse and hold the whip in their right hand. [4] Because of this way of driving, it was more convenient to keep the right side clear when passing other vehicles. [4] In 1792, the first law requiring right-hand traffic was passed for the road connecting Philadelphia and Lancaster. [4]
5. Two Theories About Why Japan Drives on the Left
In Japan, the first rule to move to the left was established in 1881. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department issued a regulation for when rickshaws met each other. [5] In 1900, a more detailed rule called the "Road Traffic Control Regulations" was created. [5] There are two theories about why the left side was chosen. One theory is that roads followed the railway system, which had already adopted left-hand traffic from British technology. [5] The other theory is that samurai, who wore their swords on their left hips, had a habit of walking on the left. [5] It is not clear which theory is correct.
6. How Sweden and Other Countries Changed Their Driving Side Overnight
In Sweden, Sweden held a referendum in 1955 on whether to switch to right-hand traffic. Most people voted against the change. However, the government decided to change it anyway. On the morning of September 3, 1967, at 5:00 AM, cars all over the country switched to right-hand traffic at the same time. [6] A similar event happened in Okinawa, Japan. After the war, Okinawa was under American control and used right-hand traffic. Even after returning to Japan in 1972, it remained on the right for a while. From the night of July 29, 1978, workers spent eight hours changing road signs. By 6:00 AM on July 30, the traffic switched to the left. [7] Immediately after the switch, accidents and traffic jams continued in cities like Naha. [7]
7. How to Observe Which Side Cars Drive on in Your Own Town
From a sidewalk or another safe place well away from traffic, look at which side the cars are driving on. At a crosswalk, do the cars come from the right or the left? Checking this for yourself might make your usual streets look a little different. [1]