drving on the left

[oakdale160]

Most of the world drives on the right. All those countries of the British empire prefer the left. The only two countries of any size that drive on the left are Japan and Thai. Anybody know the historical reason for this?

[richard]

I heard one of the Rama's (5 I think) went to Oxford and brought some western influences back to Siam of which driving on the left was one. Don't stop 'em driving on the left, right and centre though does it?

[arcadianagain]

I thought it was because in the days of getting around by horse riders could defend themselves better by riding on the left which left the sword arm (right) free to fight with. Of course Napolean, being French, decided that they knew best and changed the system. On the other hand this could be complete balderdash.

[chaspul]

Australia is a pretty big country that still prefers the right side (left) of the road. According to Wiki so do about 35% of the worlds population.
Still flash my windscreen wipers although had cars where this system was standard in the UK before swapping to EU system.

Chas

[bsdk1960]

Thailand is in the group who drives both in right and left side

[Winkie]

I thought it was because in the days of getting around by horse riders could defend themselves better by riding on the left which left the sword arm (right) free to fight with. Of course Napolean, being French, decided that they knew best and changed the system. On the other hand this could be complete balderdash.

That's what I understood too.

Saluting, Handshaking etc... all result from travel on the left side of the road.

The left side is the right side, and the right side is the wrong side!

[HHTel]

If China hadn't switched from driving on the left to driving on the right, then most of the world population would be driving on the left. Still, there are 70+ countries that still drive on the left including India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa and other parts of Africa.
Even the USA originally drove on the left and was gradually changed after winning independence from England and wanting to rid themselves of anything 'English'.

So historically, driving on the left was the norm!

[Gregjam]

Perhaps if the EU had taken the UK seriously they could have united the drivers of Europe and paid for the UK to change sides. They seem to have enough money for it.

Interesting that Hong Kong (S.A.R. China) still drives on the left and you have to change sides when crossing into P.R. China. Could this, in a similar way help identify why they too do not like their fellow countrymen.

[BOZ]

British empire countries follow the Brits, Thailand though never a colony was surrounded by lefties so to allow ease of use of travel between neighboring countries they went along with the Empire flow.... Too bad the Thais don't understand that they are supposed to follow the traffic laws... I am just amazed at how poor these folks drive, don't get me going on the motor bikes doing whatever, where ever, how ever they see fit... We have to have our heads on a swivel here and even then I have had a few near hits out of no where the mad motor bike with family of 5 and no helmets comes screaming by... Road rage as in other parts of the world would thin the heard... Darwin at its best!!!

[Bristolian]

British empire countries follow the Brits, Thailand though never a colony was surrounded by lefties so to allow ease of use of travel between neighboring countries they went along with the Empire flow.... Too bad the Thais don't understand that they are supposed to follow the traffic laws... I am just amazed at how poor these folks drive, don't get me going on the motor bikes doing whatever, where ever, how ever they see fit... We have to have our heads on a swivel here and even then I have had a few near hits out of no where the mad motor bike with family of 5 and no helmets comes screaming by... Road rage as in other parts of the world would thin the heard... Darwin at its best!!!

I can't disagree but it is amazing how quickly foreign drivers/riders follow suit and get into all of the Thai driving habits. Forigners that have spent their whole lives wearing seatbelts and helmets suddenly don't need them any more.

[cookie102]

I understand that Ireland are going to change over to driving on the right. They are going to start with a trial period with just the trucks.

[Dannie Boy]

I understand that Ireland are going to change over to driving on the right. They are going to start with a trial period with just the trucks.

Shouldn't this be under the best of humour thread?

[Terry]

............. Forigners that have spent their whole lives wearing seatbelts and helmets suddenly don't need them any more.

Yes one of my own observations that has always baffled me. So I suppose that everyone knows that the concrete is softer here in Thailand.

[BOZ]

I drove an ambulance for 10 years as a volunteer and my uncle was a state trooper on a major interstate highway... We both agreed that we never had to unbuckle a seatbelt to take a dead person out of a car after an accident... We both saw many deaths caused when seat belts weren't worn.... By the same observations, we call unhelmeted motorcycle riders "organ donors"... I will always wear both regardless of how long I live in LOS... Stay safe, it is our only defense against the on slaught of wackiness seen on the roads here...

[arcadianagain]

I seem to remember Nigeria changing driving sides some time back, but to get folks used to it they drove on the right on even dates and on the left on odd dates. Can anyone else confirm if my memory is deceiving me/