About two thirds of the countries in the world drive on the right including the USA, China and Russia. Canada used to drive on the left but changed to the right to make border crossings with the United States of America more manageable. The reasons for driving on different sides of the road are historical.

When did China switch to driving on the right?

In 1946, the Republic of China government announced that all cars in China must use the right lanes from Jan 1, 1946. This maybe the result of closer relationship with American and imported greater American cars than British cars. So, people start to drive on the right.

Which side does the Chinese drive on?

In mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Various neighbours such as Hong Kong, Macau, India, Nepal and Pakistan drive on the left.

Does China drive on the right?

In mainland China, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Hong and Kong Macau (Special Adminstrative Regions of China) drives on the left side of the road. India, Nepal and Pakistan drive on the left.

Which countries drive on the left?

What countries drive on the left?

• Channel Islands.
• Ireland.
• Isle of Man.
• Malta.
• Cyprus.

Why some people drive on the right, and some on the left | Did You Know?

Did America ever drive on the left?

In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving.

When did Canada stop driving on the left?

Canada abandoned the left side of the road in the 1920s to facilitate traffic to and from the United States. In 1967, meanwhile, the government of Sweden spent around $120 million preparing its citizens to begin driving on the right.

Does Japan drive on the left?

In Japan, vehicles usually drive on the left-hand side of the road. Be sure to obey any signs that indicate a speed limit. The legal speed limit is 60 km per hour on general roads and 100 km per hour on expressways.

Why do Japan drive on the left?

Overtime, Japan has built up a very large and very successful railway system, which is and has always been on the left-hand side. This precedent naturally led to building roads for cars that also drive on the left side.

Why does Hong Kong drive on the left?

When the first automobile hit Hong Kong's streets in 1903, it drove on the left side of the road, not only because Hong Kong was a British colony, but because that had been the accepted order of things for thousands of years.

Why driving on the left is better?

Left Hand countries deliver safer driving

In left-hand traffic systems, the better-perfoming right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver's wing mirror. In right-hand traffic, the weaker left eye takes over. Plus, left-sided driving is safer for the elderly due to their failing visual abilities.

Why do Americans drive on the right?

With the growth of traffic, the roadside ditches also led to a growing tendency in the United States in the late nineteenth century for drivers of light horse-drawn vehicles to both drive on the right and sit on the right to avoid the greater evil of the ditch.

Why do the UK drive on the left?

Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.

Does Canada drive on the left?

About two thirds of the countries in the world drive on the right including the USA, China and Russia. Canada used to drive on the left but changed to the right to make border crossings with the United States of America more manageable.

Did Australia always drive on the left?

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.

When did Canada switch to driving on the right?

Newfoundland was the last to follow suit and switch from left to right in 1947 before officially becoming a part of Canada in 1949. According to the Statistics Canada, 15.4 million Canadians regularly commute to work, and 74 per cent of them drive a vehicle to get there.

Does Germany drive on the right?

You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license to legally drive in Germany. In Germany, drivers drive on the right and overtake on the left. When traffic is backed up and two or more lanes are going in the same direction, vehicles on the righthand side may overtake vehicles on the left.

Does Italy drive on the left?

Italians drive on the right side of the road, just like Americans. That may seem basic, but you'd be surprised how many people don't know. Traffic lights and stop signs work the same as most other countries, but, like most of Europe, right turns during red lights are ALWAYS ILLEGAL.

Does France drive on the right?

After the Middle Ages, European countries like France and England started to make their own choice about which side of the road to prefer. England was the first nation to pass an official rule, in 1773, which made driving on the left the law. France, on the other hand, chose to drive on the right.

Why do Europeans drive on the right?

The subsequent Revolutionary wars and Napoleon's European conquests led to the spread of driving on the right to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Napoleon ordered his armies to use the right-hand side of the road in order to avoid congestion during military manoeuvres.

Why does Japan eat KFC on Christmas?

A fried chicken Christmas dinner became a tradition in the 1970's thanks to a very successful Kentucky Fried Chicken ad campaign!! The manager of Japan's first KFC in the 70's was inspired to market KFC as a Christmas meal when he overheard some foreigners reminiscing on how they missed turkey dinner at Christmas.

Does Taiwan drive on the left?

Driving in Taiwan: The Basic Rules and Knowledge

Like North American, Taiwan drives on the right side of the road.

Does India have left-hand drive?

While India is a right-hand drive market, LHD vehicles account for nearly 87% of total passenger car market in the world, with China being the largest market followed by the USA.

Did Finland ever drive on the left?

Finland, under Swedish rule until 1809, also drove on the left, and continued to do so as a Russian Grand Duchy until 1858. This continued well into the 20th century, despite the fact that virtually all the cars on the road in Sweden were LHD.