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Driving times in Australia are also looooooooooong. Those accounts are likely speculative and while they may be true, the real reason is likely different, originating across the ocean. The newest car brand to land in Australia will bypass the traditional dealership sales model in favour of an online, fixed-priced agency agreement to target the younger market. While the French drove on the left before the French Revolution, the peasantry rode on the right to distinguish between the aristocracy and those beneath them. Australian Government: Australia's Size Compared, Australia: Driving with an Overseas License. Society: Why Cancel Culture Is Bad for Society. Roughly a quarter of all countries around the world drive on the left, with the rest adopting right-hand traffic. Drive to the Best Waterfalls in Australia, 7 Best Weapons To Use For Self-Defence In a Post-Apocalyptic World (Top 10) Part 1, What Will Be The GDP of Australia in 2023, What is the Most Popular Tourist Destination in Australia other than Sydney, Top 10 Longest Rivers in Australia For You to Visit in 2023, 10 of the Best Australian True Crime Podcasts to Terrify You, 10 Major Battles Involving Australians in Vietnam, How to get Permanent Residency in Australia 10 Tips You Need To Know. The information provided is general advice only. The Dutch also drove on the left, but as soon as Napoleon conquered the Netherlands, the Dutch switched to the right too. For example, don't phone or text while you drive using a handheld device, or you risk a ticket. There is reason to believe this rule was kept and followed as centuries passed, either as a custom or as law. The legal drink drive blood alcohol limit is also lower in Australia. So how did those other countries wind up going the other way? In 1949, most of the worlds countries ratified theGeneva Convention on Road Traffic, agreeing to have a uniform direction of traffic throughout the country. After the Bastille was stormed though the aristocrats wanted to maintain a low profile and joined the peasants on the right. This horse-centric way of driving differed from the English tradition but paved the driving on the right layout of Henry Fords Model T. Colonization from Britain or France explains most of the global distribution for driving on a certain side of the road. After the Middle Ages, European countries like France and England started to make their own choice about which side of the road to prefer. But they still couldnt all agree what side to ride on. How long is the drive from Sydney to Adelaide? Thats where instinct and learned behaviour kick in. They made a big deal about changing over the roads, buses, and signs on the day before the move! In fact, 75 countries fall into the left-hand-drive category. This was followed by whose side you want to be on, those that supported Napoleon or stuck steadfastly with the British. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. A question everybody asks and wonders about, is why do they drive on the left? Courtesy of Wikipedia. Join the ZME newsletter for amazing science news, features, and exclusive scoops. Japan also drives on the left because they never really used large wagons, preferring horse-riding until much later. No, really. The key difference is that the gearstick is in the wrong hand. However, it does make logical sense and therefore Napoleon might be to blame for the rift between driving from the left to the right. If driving from Cambodia to Thailand, you will discover an intricate traffic light system at the border which will move you to the other side of the road. It was deduced that mounting from the left, should require riding on the left too.
Similar to knights in Britain, samurais would walk on the left side of footpaths, so they could better access their swords with their right hand. Car exports have encouraged some countries to switch to driving on the right. If youre from countries like the UK or Australia, you probably cant understand why other countries drive on the right. Before rail, the United States relied a lot on large wagons pulled by teams of horses to transport goods across great distances, similar to Australias now-famous road trains. Can I rent a car at Geraldton Airport in Western Australia? They spread the practice throughout their former colonies like India and Australia, who still drive on the left side to this day. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to remove any and all remaining links to the Crown and gradually changed from left to right-hand driving. If youre from the rest of the world, you might think the Brits are crazy for driving on the left. A: Many other rules governing driving in Australia echo U.S. rules. The first law requiring drivers to keep right was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, with similar laws passed in New York in 1804 and New Jersey in 1813. In 1300, the rule of the road was officially declared by Pope Boniface VIII: all pilgrims traveling to Rome should keep to the left. We all dream of taking that Australian outback road trip. France, on the other hand, chose to drive on the right. t the very least, make sure that your luxury vehicle is up to date with luxury service deals! Youre not alone. England was the first nation to pass an official rule, in 1773, which made driving on the left the law. In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed, and the colonies drove on the left. Driversalso wanted to sit near the center of the road so they could avoid collisions with oncoming traffic. Several Roman roads have been observed to be spread down the middle, which indicates that they tended to walk on one side but which one? Weekly. These are a few of the hypotheses by historians who try to figure out why Romans initially road on the left side of the road. In Australia, people drive on the left-hand side of the road. The driver of the Conestoga always sat on the left hand, rear animal and because most drivers were right handed, this gave them better control of the line of animals on the right as well as in front of the driver. These two countries later exported their driving styles to their respective colonies, which is why many former British territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left. As the wagons became more popular, traffic naturally moved to the right so drivers could sit closer to the center of the road and avoid collisions with one another. Hence, they would ride on the left-hand side so they could better attack their enemies. If you arent ready to drive on the other side of the road, why not tackle a road trip in the U.S. first? Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancient Romans may have driven their carts and chariots on the left, and the practice seems to have carried over into parts of medieval Europe. If possible, pick up the car from an agency on the outskirts of town, rather than face immediate city driving. Whether it is true or not or if it is a fable or myth, we wouldnt know. Even drives that look short on a map, such as Melbourne to Echuca or Canberra to Sydney, can take a few hours. The biggest danger zone when driving on the other side of the road tends to be when youre coming out of a car park. Top 10 Road Trips to Go in Australia. Today, Japan also drives on the left-hand side of the road which is beleievd to be a carry over habit from the Edo period (1604 1868). Ever since the first automobiles hit the dirt roads of Aussie capital cities in the late 1800s, they have been rolling around on the left-hand side. While there are very few countries around the world that border another who drive on the opposite side of the road, there are a few. How much does car hire in Launceston cost? Why Do Some Countries Drive on a Different Side of the Road? Many of the left-side driving countries were once English colonies or associated with Britain. These days, left-hand traffic remains the norm in Britain and many of its former colonies as well as in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and several other nations. However, the worlds desire to have the American automobile started to change things starting in the 1900s. You have entered an incorrect email address! This practice spread through most of Europe, but England wasnt a big fan of large wagons, and so they remained on the left. Do Australians Drive On The Wrong Side Of The Road? Seated on the left, he would of, course, prefer other travelers also coming from the left so that he could keep clear of their wheels. Most of Europe did the same. Left-hand traffic may be standard here in Australia, but its a trend that is in the vast minority around the world. This meant that instead of favoring the dominant hand for weapons, they used that hand to steer. Driving in Australia? When horses and carriages were first cruising through France, peasants and the poor ducked to the right side of the road while the aristocrats plowed through on the left. If you are parking, it should be on the left. Have you ever sat inside your car and wondered why in Australia we drive on the left-hand side of the road while our friends over in North America and Europe drive on the right? Before cars were invented, people in Japan preferred to walk on the left for self-defense reasons. At 4:50 am, all traffic in Sweden stopped for ten minutes before restarting, this time driving on the right. During the late 18th century, large freight wagons and stagecoaches pulled by several pairs of horses became very popular, especially in the US and Canada. These wagons had no driver seat, but rather a bench, and the driver usually held the reins from the left side of the bench to keep his right hand free for whipping. On the 3rd of September 1967 the government of Sweden officially switched from left to right-hand side of the road driving, spending $120 million preparing its citizens for Dagen H (or H day). The French Revolution of 1789 was a huge catalyst to right-hand travel in Europe. Sitting on the River Thames, lots of crucial trade passed back and forth over London Bridge, which meant they needed a way to regulate this traffic before things got too out of hand. Andrei's background is in geophysics, and he's been fascinated by it ever since he was a child. Australia has followed Great Britain by driving on the left-hand side. Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans adhered to the left side while marching their troops, as did individual horsemen. Archaeological evidence has suggested that the ancient Romans may have driven their carts and chariots on the left-hand side of roads and paths with this practice being carried throughout the rest of medieval Europe. This is something that perplexes the world driving on the right side.This practice is believed to be coming from ancient Rome.
The right/left divide among nations is said to have begun in a custom from centuries ago. Very serious penalties apply. A four wheel drive is essential to drive on Fraser Island in Queensland, or across Cahills Crossing in the Northern Territory, for example. With road building and travel expansion in the 1800s, every country instilled traffic regulations. He made this quirk into everlasting history when he madea rulethat everywhere he conquered must drive on the right. And before you go, why not check out a few of the Mercedes-Benz 2020 models. Become a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox. This two-side-of-the-road world order continued until, well, you guessed it, the French Revolutionary War. Thailand (above) drives on the left, but neighbouring Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar all drive on the right. Nevertheless, with the rise of the automobile, many countries have switched to the right to fit in with their neighbours. During ancient times, the Romans steered their chariots and carts with their left hand to have the right free to use weapons to defend against enemy attacks.Post-revolution France favoured the right-hand side of the road, while this practice carried over to the British and medieval Europe. Since these vehicles often didnt have a drivers seat, drivers tended to ride on the left rear horse to more easily control their animal team with their right hand. As a British colony up until we became a federation in 1901, Australia readily adopted left-hand traffic, no doubt because it made both cultural and economic sense to do so. We all know how annoying it is to mount a horse with a sword in your sheath. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Remember how the Romans chose toride on the left to draw their swords more conveniently? Night driving can be much trickier in Australia, partly due to the kamikaze kangaroos that jump out of nowhere. British drivers wont find driving in Australia totally familiar, however. We use cookies and other technologies to understand and improve your browsing experience. Therefore, former British countries and Britain remained left-hand drivers. On some rural drives, there can be nothing but an outback roadhouse every couple of hours. More eloquent solutions have been made, including the stunning Lotus Bridge connecting Macau a former Portuguese colony that adopted left-hand driving - to the right-hand driving Hengqin Island, part of China. If so, you must keep it warm and take it to the nearest ranger or rescue center. 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. Is your vehicle protected? The reasons why the Romans chose the left is not entirely clear, but some believe it happened as a matter of safety.
The same goes for horsemen, they mount a horse from the left side and it was safer to mount on the side of the road rather than the middle. In the 20th century, there was a movement to harmonize traffic. More than 40,000 subscribers can't be wrong. The only exception to the rule in Egypt, which Napoleon conquered before becoming a British dependent.Even though Japan was never part of the British Empire, they are also a left-hand driving country. Is it Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Florida? After the storming of the Bastille and the subsequent revolutionary events, the aristocrats preferred to keep a low profile and joined the peasants on the right-hand side of the road. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Unwrapped has no off limit content. So, a new job was created for someone to sit on the bridge and get traffic from one direction to stick to one side of the bridge, and from the other direction to stick to the other. It's best to get answers to all your questions before you stand in line at the car rental agency in Sydney. So if you want to venture there, a car would definitely come in handy. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! More Australia: Australia 2020 Things to do! We drive on the left for one reason and one reason only: Britain told us to. Unless there is a good reason, its much easier to stick to what you have. The keep-left rule was also followed in the other great ancient kingdoms, such as Greece and Egypt. Because of wherein they sat, they favored to pressure at the proper so they might higher see while different wagons overtook them. Model T. Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica. The reasons for this are not entirely certain, but some believe it arose as a matter of safety. As you can imagine, it got a bit confusing, so London lawmakers wrote up a law which said that all carts coming from London needed to travel on the east side of the bridge, and traffic coming into London needed to travel on the west-side. In 1792 in Pennsylvania law was passed to drive on the right. RhinoCarHire: Which Countries Drive on the Left? 2022 Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) All rights reserved. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. If you happen to hit a kangaroo, you are legally obligated to check the pouch to see if it contains a baby. An official keep-right rule was introduced in Paris in 1794. All Rights Reserved. France and Britain brought this driving style to their own countries and you will notice that former British territories also drive on the left.Another good explanation is that in ancient times everybody drove on the left, especially in feudal and violent countries where most people are right-handed. But where does this striking difference come from? You and every passenger in your car must wear a seat belt, or you risk a ticket and fine. Since these vehicles often didnt have a drivers seat, drivers tended to ride on the left rear horse to more easily control their herds with their right hand. Apparently, its easier to defend yourself with a sword if its holstered on the arm closest to your opponent. Is it best to self-drive in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales? A: You just need practice on rural roads and an automatic transmission car. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. So why then did Britain adopt left-hand traffic? Samoa switched from right to left to match Australia and New Zealand in 2009, mandated that the Okinawa Prefecture drive on the right, Top Mercedes Sprinter Van Conversion Kits.
Travelling King: What to do if You Hit a Kangaroo? It's odd for Americans who are used to driving on the right and passing on the left, but Australia is not alone. Vehicle maintenance is especially important in winter as inclement weather like cold temperatures, wind, ice, sleet, and snow become more common. The popular story says that Napoleon I changed this rule in Europe, either to dissuade conflict between his troops (by the same logic, not meeting each other with the right hand free) or to be different from his enemies, the British. Not all of Europe had locked in to a side of the road by the 1800s. Because of where they sat, they preferred to drive on the right so they could better see when other wagons overtook them. This is also supported by practical common sense. But who isnt more than a little afraid of driving on the other side of the road. British horseback riders started the trend of left-side riding to keep their right hand available to wave to friends or draw a sword to face enemies. So why then does most of the world drive on the right? In fact, try to avoid city centers altogether.
These two countries exported their preferred driving styles across to their respective colonies, which is why today, most of the former British Empire territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left. But why does Australia drive on the left? Your valid U.S. license is all that you will need to drive in Australia as a tourist except in the Northern Territory. All content copyright David Whitley. Australians drive on the left side of the road along with 76 other countries. Home | Travel Destinations | Lifestyle | Readers' Choice Awards A division of USA TODAY | Weekly Deals. Besides, cars werent the first things to use roads sticking to the left was rule for horses, carts and carriages long before motoring was popular. But as many rental cars in Australia are automatics anyway, this doesnt tend to have a massive effect. All rights reserved. Realistically, driving on the left when youre accustomed to driving on the right doesnt make too much of a difference. A year before them, the Danes also passed a rule that stated driving must be on the right-hand side of the road. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. Fun | Aroundtwo-thirds of the globe drives on the right side of the road. If we want to get to the source of that, we have to go back even further to Roman times. In the United States, meanwhile, many researchers trace the beginning of right-hand traffic to the 18th century and the rise of freight wagons pulled by large teams of horses. People in Australia drive on the left because the country is made up of former British colonies, and the UK drives on the left. Police conduct random stop-and-test activities, so don't risk it. For example,Samoa switched from right to left to match Australia and New Zealand in 2009. A: You do not in most states. Brazil changed to right-hand traffic in 1928 at the same time as Portugal. A: The wildlife you have to look out for most on Australian roads? Another major influence that locked the US into right-hand driving was carmaker Henry Ford, whose mass-produced Model T came with a left-positioned steering wheel, which required it to be driven on the right side of the road. One of the few countries in mainland Europe to avoid this fate wasCzechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists, Find out how much your car is worth within minutes, List your car today to reach genuine buyers and sell for a great price, A hassle-free way to sell your car in 24 hours and get paid fast, The Marshalite was the Melbourne made traffic signal that never took off, Florence Lawrence, the movie star who invented the turn signal. No Comments . What are the biggest cities in Australia? Australia is bigger than it looks on the globe; in fact, it's just about the size of the continental United States.
Similar to knights in Britain, samurais would walk on the left side of footpaths, so they could better access their swords with their right hand. Car exports have encouraged some countries to switch to driving on the right. If youre from countries like the UK or Australia, you probably cant understand why other countries drive on the right. Before rail, the United States relied a lot on large wagons pulled by teams of horses to transport goods across great distances, similar to Australias now-famous road trains. Can I rent a car at Geraldton Airport in Western Australia? They spread the practice throughout their former colonies like India and Australia, who still drive on the left side to this day. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to remove any and all remaining links to the Crown and gradually changed from left to right-hand driving. If youre from the rest of the world, you might think the Brits are crazy for driving on the left. A: Many other rules governing driving in Australia echo U.S. rules. The first law requiring drivers to keep right was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, with similar laws passed in New York in 1804 and New Jersey in 1813. In 1300, the rule of the road was officially declared by Pope Boniface VIII: all pilgrims traveling to Rome should keep to the left. We all dream of taking that Australian outback road trip. France, on the other hand, chose to drive on the right. t the very least, make sure that your luxury vehicle is up to date with luxury service deals! Youre not alone. England was the first nation to pass an official rule, in 1773, which made driving on the left the law. In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed, and the colonies drove on the left. Driversalso wanted to sit near the center of the road so they could avoid collisions with oncoming traffic. Several Roman roads have been observed to be spread down the middle, which indicates that they tended to walk on one side but which one? Weekly. These are a few of the hypotheses by historians who try to figure out why Romans initially road on the left side of the road. In Australia, people drive on the left-hand side of the road. The driver of the Conestoga always sat on the left hand, rear animal and because most drivers were right handed, this gave them better control of the line of animals on the right as well as in front of the driver. These two countries later exported their driving styles to their respective colonies, which is why many former British territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left. As the wagons became more popular, traffic naturally moved to the right so drivers could sit closer to the center of the road and avoid collisions with one another. Hence, they would ride on the left-hand side so they could better attack their enemies. If you arent ready to drive on the other side of the road, why not tackle a road trip in the U.S. first? Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancient Romans may have driven their carts and chariots on the left, and the practice seems to have carried over into parts of medieval Europe. If possible, pick up the car from an agency on the outskirts of town, rather than face immediate city driving. Whether it is true or not or if it is a fable or myth, we wouldnt know. Even drives that look short on a map, such as Melbourne to Echuca or Canberra to Sydney, can take a few hours. The biggest danger zone when driving on the other side of the road tends to be when youre coming out of a car park. Top 10 Road Trips to Go in Australia. Today, Japan also drives on the left-hand side of the road which is beleievd to be a carry over habit from the Edo period (1604 1868). Ever since the first automobiles hit the dirt roads of Aussie capital cities in the late 1800s, they have been rolling around on the left-hand side. While there are very few countries around the world that border another who drive on the opposite side of the road, there are a few. How much does car hire in Launceston cost? Why Do Some Countries Drive on a Different Side of the Road? Many of the left-side driving countries were once English colonies or associated with Britain. These days, left-hand traffic remains the norm in Britain and many of its former colonies as well as in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and several other nations. However, the worlds desire to have the American automobile started to change things starting in the 1900s. You have entered an incorrect email address! This practice spread through most of Europe, but England wasnt a big fan of large wagons, and so they remained on the left. Do Australians Drive On The Wrong Side Of The Road? Seated on the left, he would of, course, prefer other travelers also coming from the left so that he could keep clear of their wheels. Most of Europe did the same. Left-hand traffic may be standard here in Australia, but its a trend that is in the vast minority around the world. This meant that instead of favoring the dominant hand for weapons, they used that hand to steer. Driving in Australia? When horses and carriages were first cruising through France, peasants and the poor ducked to the right side of the road while the aristocrats plowed through on the left. If you are parking, it should be on the left. Have you ever sat inside your car and wondered why in Australia we drive on the left-hand side of the road while our friends over in North America and Europe drive on the right? Before cars were invented, people in Japan preferred to walk on the left for self-defense reasons. At 4:50 am, all traffic in Sweden stopped for ten minutes before restarting, this time driving on the right. During the late 18th century, large freight wagons and stagecoaches pulled by several pairs of horses became very popular, especially in the US and Canada. These wagons had no driver seat, but rather a bench, and the driver usually held the reins from the left side of the bench to keep his right hand free for whipping. On the 3rd of September 1967 the government of Sweden officially switched from left to right-hand side of the road driving, spending $120 million preparing its citizens for Dagen H (or H day). The French Revolution of 1789 was a huge catalyst to right-hand travel in Europe. Sitting on the River Thames, lots of crucial trade passed back and forth over London Bridge, which meant they needed a way to regulate this traffic before things got too out of hand. Andrei's background is in geophysics, and he's been fascinated by it ever since he was a child. Australia has followed Great Britain by driving on the left-hand side. Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans adhered to the left side while marching their troops, as did individual horsemen. Archaeological evidence has suggested that the ancient Romans may have driven their carts and chariots on the left-hand side of roads and paths with this practice being carried throughout the rest of medieval Europe. This is something that perplexes the world driving on the right side.This practice is believed to be coming from ancient Rome.
The right/left divide among nations is said to have begun in a custom from centuries ago. Very serious penalties apply. A four wheel drive is essential to drive on Fraser Island in Queensland, or across Cahills Crossing in the Northern Territory, for example. With road building and travel expansion in the 1800s, every country instilled traffic regulations. He made this quirk into everlasting history when he madea rulethat everywhere he conquered must drive on the right. And before you go, why not check out a few of the Mercedes-Benz 2020 models. Become a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox. This two-side-of-the-road world order continued until, well, you guessed it, the French Revolutionary War. Thailand (above) drives on the left, but neighbouring Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar all drive on the right. Nevertheless, with the rise of the automobile, many countries have switched to the right to fit in with their neighbours. During ancient times, the Romans steered their chariots and carts with their left hand to have the right free to use weapons to defend against enemy attacks.Post-revolution France favoured the right-hand side of the road, while this practice carried over to the British and medieval Europe. Since these vehicles often didnt have a drivers seat, drivers tended to ride on the left rear horse to more easily control their animal team with their right hand. As a British colony up until we became a federation in 1901, Australia readily adopted left-hand traffic, no doubt because it made both cultural and economic sense to do so. We all know how annoying it is to mount a horse with a sword in your sheath. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Remember how the Romans chose toride on the left to draw their swords more conveniently? Night driving can be much trickier in Australia, partly due to the kamikaze kangaroos that jump out of nowhere. British drivers wont find driving in Australia totally familiar, however. We use cookies and other technologies to understand and improve your browsing experience. Therefore, former British countries and Britain remained left-hand drivers. On some rural drives, there can be nothing but an outback roadhouse every couple of hours. More eloquent solutions have been made, including the stunning Lotus Bridge connecting Macau a former Portuguese colony that adopted left-hand driving - to the right-hand driving Hengqin Island, part of China. If so, you must keep it warm and take it to the nearest ranger or rescue center. 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. Is your vehicle protected? The reasons why the Romans chose the left is not entirely clear, but some believe it happened as a matter of safety.
The same goes for horsemen, they mount a horse from the left side and it was safer to mount on the side of the road rather than the middle. In the 20th century, there was a movement to harmonize traffic. More than 40,000 subscribers can't be wrong. The only exception to the rule in Egypt, which Napoleon conquered before becoming a British dependent.Even though Japan was never part of the British Empire, they are also a left-hand driving country. Is it Illegal to Drive Barefoot in Florida? After the storming of the Bastille and the subsequent revolutionary events, the aristocrats preferred to keep a low profile and joined the peasants on the right-hand side of the road. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Unwrapped has no off limit content. So, a new job was created for someone to sit on the bridge and get traffic from one direction to stick to one side of the bridge, and from the other direction to stick to the other. It's best to get answers to all your questions before you stand in line at the car rental agency in Sydney. So if you want to venture there, a car would definitely come in handy. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! More Australia: Australia 2020 Things to do! We drive on the left for one reason and one reason only: Britain told us to. Unless there is a good reason, its much easier to stick to what you have. The keep-left rule was also followed in the other great ancient kingdoms, such as Greece and Egypt. Because of wherein they sat, they favored to pressure at the proper so they might higher see while different wagons overtook them. Model T. Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica. The reasons for this are not entirely certain, but some believe it arose as a matter of safety. As you can imagine, it got a bit confusing, so London lawmakers wrote up a law which said that all carts coming from London needed to travel on the east side of the bridge, and traffic coming into London needed to travel on the west-side. In 1792 in Pennsylvania law was passed to drive on the right. RhinoCarHire: Which Countries Drive on the Left? 2022 Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) All rights reserved. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. If you happen to hit a kangaroo, you are legally obligated to check the pouch to see if it contains a baby. An official keep-right rule was introduced in Paris in 1794. All Rights Reserved. France and Britain brought this driving style to their own countries and you will notice that former British territories also drive on the left.Another good explanation is that in ancient times everybody drove on the left, especially in feudal and violent countries where most people are right-handed. But where does this striking difference come from? You and every passenger in your car must wear a seat belt, or you risk a ticket and fine. Since these vehicles often didnt have a drivers seat, drivers tended to ride on the left rear horse to more easily control their herds with their right hand. Apparently, its easier to defend yourself with a sword if its holstered on the arm closest to your opponent. Is it best to self-drive in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales? A: You just need practice on rural roads and an automatic transmission car. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. So why then did Britain adopt left-hand traffic? Samoa switched from right to left to match Australia and New Zealand in 2009, mandated that the Okinawa Prefecture drive on the right, Top Mercedes Sprinter Van Conversion Kits.
Travelling King: What to do if You Hit a Kangaroo? It's odd for Americans who are used to driving on the right and passing on the left, but Australia is not alone. Vehicle maintenance is especially important in winter as inclement weather like cold temperatures, wind, ice, sleet, and snow become more common. The popular story says that Napoleon I changed this rule in Europe, either to dissuade conflict between his troops (by the same logic, not meeting each other with the right hand free) or to be different from his enemies, the British. Not all of Europe had locked in to a side of the road by the 1800s. Because of where they sat, they preferred to drive on the right so they could better see when other wagons overtook them. This is also supported by practical common sense. But who isnt more than a little afraid of driving on the other side of the road. British horseback riders started the trend of left-side riding to keep their right hand available to wave to friends or draw a sword to face enemies. So why then does most of the world drive on the right? In fact, try to avoid city centers altogether.
These two countries exported their preferred driving styles across to their respective colonies, which is why today, most of the former British Empire territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left. But why does Australia drive on the left? Your valid U.S. license is all that you will need to drive in Australia as a tourist except in the Northern Territory. All content copyright David Whitley. Australians drive on the left side of the road along with 76 other countries. Home | Travel Destinations | Lifestyle | Readers' Choice Awards A division of USA TODAY | Weekly Deals. Besides, cars werent the first things to use roads sticking to the left was rule for horses, carts and carriages long before motoring was popular. But as many rental cars in Australia are automatics anyway, this doesnt tend to have a massive effect. All rights reserved. Realistically, driving on the left when youre accustomed to driving on the right doesnt make too much of a difference. A year before them, the Danes also passed a rule that stated driving must be on the right-hand side of the road. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. Fun | Aroundtwo-thirds of the globe drives on the right side of the road. If we want to get to the source of that, we have to go back even further to Roman times. In the United States, meanwhile, many researchers trace the beginning of right-hand traffic to the 18th century and the rise of freight wagons pulled by large teams of horses. People in Australia drive on the left because the country is made up of former British colonies, and the UK drives on the left. Police conduct random stop-and-test activities, so don't risk it. For example,Samoa switched from right to left to match Australia and New Zealand in 2009. A: You do not in most states. Brazil changed to right-hand traffic in 1928 at the same time as Portugal. A: The wildlife you have to look out for most on Australian roads? Another major influence that locked the US into right-hand driving was carmaker Henry Ford, whose mass-produced Model T came with a left-positioned steering wheel, which required it to be driven on the right side of the road. One of the few countries in mainland Europe to avoid this fate wasCzechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists, Find out how much your car is worth within minutes, List your car today to reach genuine buyers and sell for a great price, A hassle-free way to sell your car in 24 hours and get paid fast, The Marshalite was the Melbourne made traffic signal that never took off, Florence Lawrence, the movie star who invented the turn signal. No Comments . What are the biggest cities in Australia? Australia is bigger than it looks on the globe; in fact, it's just about the size of the continental United States.