Crazy backwards cars!

GR_Zombie

So I was on my way home today when I happened to notice a banner for a British car show, and it got me to wondering why American cars have the driver side on the left, while other countries have it on the right. From that I also wondered about the opposite road directions we use. I realized I have no idea if there's a good reason for the opposing directions and I was wondering if anyone had an idea? Best I could think of is good old fashioned American rebelliousness :P

matt has a problem

Er, England, Japan, India, Australia and a smattering of other countries drive on the right. The rest of the world drives on the left.

As for a reason, lets go to wiki:

In fact, some, for example C. Northcote Parkinson, believed that ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, horsemen would thus be able to hold the reins with their left hands and keep their right hand free—to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend themselves with swords, if necessary.[21] It is often suggested this practice was brought about by the use of Postilions on coaches, in some countries they sat facing forward, in others back.

This is also claimed as the basis for the military salute, as passing horsemen would raise their weapon hand (right) to show it was empty.

As for the switch in the US:

In the late 1700s, the shift from left to right that took place in countries such as the United States was based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver’s seat, so a postilion sat on the left rear horse and held his whip in his right hand. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons. He did that by driving on the right side of the road.[21]

Thomamelas

GR_Zombie wrote: »

So I was on my way home today when I happened to notice a banner for a British car show, and it got me to wondering why American cars have the driver side on the left, while other countries have it on the right. From that I also wondered about the opposite road directions we use. I realized I have no idea if there's a good reason for the opposing directions and I was wondering if anyone had an idea? Best I could think of is good old fashioned American rebelliousness :P

There are a couple of theories. But right hand traffic seems to have come about with the use of heavier wagons. It made it easier for teamsters to control their wagons. The English came up with different system for handling traffic over London Bridge and eventually it became law. And then it was exported to their colonies. But it's not a rebellious thing among the Americans, right hand traffic is more common world wide then the left hand traffic system of the English.

RUNN1NGMAN

Yeah, pretty sure the "rest of the world" actually drives on the right now. Like the US. Because we're awesome. Only places that drive on the left are former British colonies like India and Australia. Can't remember what it was like in Hong Kong.

What's really fucked is that you drive on the left on a lot of Caribbean islands, but they all drive cars set up with the driver sitting on the left. Totally crazy.

GR_Zombie

matthasaproblem wrote: »

Er, England, Japan, India, Australia and a smattering of other countries drive on the right. The rest of the world drives on the left.

As for a reason, lets go to wiki:

In fact, some, for example C. Northcote Parkinson, believed that ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, horsemen would thus be able to hold the reins with their left hands and keep their right hand free—to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend themselves with swords, if necessary.[21] It is often suggested this practice was brought about by the use of Postilions on coaches, in some countries they sat facing forward, in others back.

This is also claimed as the basis for the military salute, as passing horsemen would raise their weapon hand (right) to show it was empty.

As for the switch in the US:

In the late 1700s, the shift from left to right that took place in countries such as the United States was based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver’s seat, so a postilion sat on the left rear horse and held his whip in his right hand. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons. He did that by driving on the right side of the road.[21]

So that's why, a nice bit of trivia, my favorite brainsnack! I love these forums, you can get any question answered
edit: Damn, lot's of great answers!

Obligatory: Now I know!

Thomamelas

RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »

Yeah, pretty sure the "rest of the world" actually drives on the right now. Like the US. Because we're awesome. Only places that drive on the left are former British colonies like India and Australia. Can't remember what it was like in Hong Kong.

What's really fucked is that you drive on the left on a lot of Caribbean islands, but they all drive cars set up with the driver sitting on the left. Totally crazy.

Hong Kong is left hand traffic, the rest of China is right hand traffic. I was curious about that when the handover happened.

matt has a problem

GR_Zombie wrote: »

matthasaproblem wrote: »

Er, England, Japan, India, Australia and a smattering of other countries drive on the right. The rest of the world drives on the left.

As for a reason, lets go to wiki:

In fact, some, for example C. Northcote Parkinson, believed that ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, horsemen would thus be able to hold the reins with their left hands and keep their right hand free—to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend themselves with swords, if necessary.[21] It is often suggested this practice was brought about by the use of Postilions on coaches, in some countries they sat facing forward, in others back.

This is also claimed as the basis for the military salute, as passing horsemen would raise their weapon hand (right) to show it was empty.

As for the switch in the US:

In the late 1700s, the shift from left to right that took place in countries such as the United States was based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver’s seat, so a postilion sat on the left rear horse and held his whip in his right hand. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons. He did that by driving on the right side of the road.[21]

So that's why, a nice bit of trivia, my favorite brainsnack! I love these forums, you can get any question answered
edit: Damn, lot's of great answers!

Obligatory: Now I know!

The modern train/Roman chariot connection is an interesting one, too - http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2538/was-standard-railroad-gauge-48-determined-by-roman-chariot-ruts

Malyonsus

Edit: oh wait, you were probably talking about side of the car the driver is on. Never mind.