Presently, around 65% of the global population resides in nations where cars are driven from the left side of the road. 65% of the world’s population resides in countries where cars are driven on the left, which begs the question: why is there such a wide difference? The rules of the road for the traffic side and the driver’s side were establish in the seventeenth century. Distinguished historian C. Northcote Parkinson speculates that ancient commuters probably drove on the left side of the road. Since the vast majority of individuals are right-hand, riding on the left side leaves the right hand free to handle a weapon. In later times, when waggons were commonplace, riders preferred to sit on the left so that they could have their right hand free to use the whip. Why are there Left Hand and Right Hand Drive Cars.
What Is the Distinction Between Left-Handed Traffic and Right-Handed Driving?
Don’t be dupe by the seeming synonymy of these two terms; in fact, using one of them in place of the other completely changes the meaning of the other. In this paragraph, I will define these two terms. We are a Left Hand Traffic (LHT) country, which simply implies that traffic flows to the left. It’s important to note that the designations “Right Hand Drive” (RHD) and “Left Hand Drive” (LHD) refer to the side of the vehicle in which the driver sits; in the United States, it’s the right. You may have observed that right-hand-drive (RHD) and left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are distinguish by the placement of the driver’s seat relative to the direction in which traffic moves on the road.
That is, why does everyone else in the world drive on the right-hand side of the road?
Before the French Revolution in the eighteenth century, it was customary for the country’s ruling class, the Aristocracy, to utilise the left lane of traffic while the commoners were relegat to the right. Aristocrats began driving on the right side of the road during the French Revolution to avoid public shaming, public identification, and the guillotine (A beheading device used by the revolutionists of the time). Following the French Revolution and during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, a standardiz law was formed asking the traffic to keep to the “common right”, which is why the world associates France with driving on the right (RHT) which leads them to use left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles.
In addition, the French imposed the right-hand-traffic (RHT) regulation in all of the regions under their control, which explains why most African countries use RHT and LHD vehicles. Moreover, the French influence in the African countries led to the adoption of right-hand traffic (RHT) by the Arab nations too in the Middle East. The Germans, who also drive on the right, had an interest in the widespread adoption of left-hand drive (LHD) and right-hand traffic (RHT) within Africa.
Who Are the Main Players in the Debate Between Left-Handed and Right-Handed Traffic and Vehicles?
During Napoleon’s administration, the acquired countries kept using the Right Hand Convention, while France’s enemies, led by Britain, kept using the left lane. A longstanding tradition, driving on the left side of the road (LHT) was initially observ in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. As a result of The Highway Act of 1835, however, Britain and all of her colonies made it legal to drive on the left side of the road, hence RHD cars are the norm there. As a result, modern-day Australia, India, and Pakistan all utilise LHT and right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles despite being located on territory previously controll by the British, who adopt the keep left rule.
Exceptions
There is a need to highlight the outliers from any rule or norm. Only eight countries in the world have never been a part of the British Empire, and yet they are the only ones in which traffic travels on the left side of the road (LHT) and right-hand drive vehicles are the norm. These are Bhutan, Indonesia, East Timor, Nepal, Suriname, Mozambique, Thailand, and Japan (RHD). Left Hand Traffic (LHT) is observe in African colonies formerly rule by the British and the Portuguese, whereas Right Hand Traffic (RHT) is mandat in African areas once ruled by the French and the Germans (RHT). When these colonies finally achieved independence, however, some continued with the existing practise while others adopted the traffic patterns of their neighbors.
FAQs
Why are there left hand drive and right hand drive cars?
The British government mandated the use of the right hand for driving around the turn of the nineteenth century. Australia, India, and Pakistan are just a few examples of former British colonies that continue to this day to drive on the left side of the road as a result of colonial authority. Although, of course, there’s always an exception.
Is left hand car allow in Pakistan?
No, left hand cars are not allowed in Pakistan
Why do Japanese drive on left?
There isn’t much of a connection between cars and the practice of driving on the left. On the contrary, this is done so that samurai and Japanese road logic may function more smoothly. You have to understand that during the samurai era, city streets and walkways were significantly smaller. In addition, the katana, the Japanese sword, was traditionally worn on the left side of the body by the majority of samurai, who were right-hand.
What side are cars in Pakistan?
- Left(LHT)
