Why does britain drive on the left?

Answer 1

Its not just the UK... but why not? Why to we drive on the right? It is just how things developed.

You drive on the right because the steering wheel is in the right so you can see past the vehicles in your path.

Answer 2

Possibly Roman influence from when they occupied England. When mounted on horseback, two riders about to engage in a fight would adhere to the left side, enabling them to draw their sword from their right side, and also wield their sword with their right hand. It's largely believed that this became law for all types of traffic, and that left-hand traffic originated from this, although it's impossible to say for certain whether or not this is the reason.

Answer 3

A tradition which dates back to the Middle Ages.

In places like the US and France, where horse-drawn carts often had to drive long distances, huge carts were used, pulled by 6-12 horses. These horses would be lined up in pairs. The driver would sit on the left rear horse and hold the whip in his right hand - that way, he could whip all the horses. When a cart came the other way, he would pass the cart on the right, so he could make sure they didn't scrape.

On the small island of Great Britain, monster-sized carts weren't needed and often 2 horses were sufficient. So the driver would sit on the cart, on the right hand side so that when he whipped the horses he didn't hit the cart by mistake. When a cart came the other way, he'd pass on the left.

Answer 4

It originates from horses and carts. A driver would sit on the right hand side of the cart with a whip in his right hand. That way he could whip the horses without hitting the cart by accident. When another car passed by the other way, he would pass the cart on the left hand side, so he could make sure they didn't scrape.

When England colonised other lands, the practice continued. Many countries nowadays that drive on the left are a result of the former British Empire. The real question should perhaps be "Why do Americans drive on the right hand side of the road?" This is just one of many ways that America sought to overthrow its old British roots.

See also the related question below.

Answer 5

David Walker

Answer 6

no we drive on the left