How many countries are right-hand drive. Why is there right-hand and left-hand traffic? Railroad and subway

There would be no England - there would be no "right" rudder. The validity of this statement in automotive circles has been arguing for more than a dozen years.

AiF.ru tried to figure out why the left-hand traffic pattern took root in Great Britain and how it affected other countries of the world.

Why is it customary in England to drive on the left side of the road?

The British authorities legislated the norm to drive on the left side of the road in 1756. Violation of the bill provided for an impressive fine - a pound of silver.

There are two main versions that explain why in the middle of the 18th century England made a choice in favor of left-hand traffic.

• Roman version

V Ancient rome adhered to left-hand traffic. This approach was explained by the fact that the legionnaires held a weapon in their right hand. And therefore, in the event of an unexpected meeting with the enemy, it was more profitable for them to be on the left side of the road. The enemy thus fell directly on the chopping hand. After the Romans conquered the British Isles in 45 AD, Leftism could have spread to England. This version is supported by the results of archaeological expeditions. In 1998, a Roman quarry was excavated in Wiltshire in the southwest of England, near which the left track was broken more than the right.

• Marine version

Previously, the British could only get to Europe by waterway. Therefore, maritime traditions have firmly entered the culture of this people. In the old days, English ships had to bypass the oncoming vessel on the left side. Subsequently, this custom could spread to the roads.

Right-hand traffic is enshrined in modern international shipping rules.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

How did English "leftism" spread throughout the world?

Most left-hand countries have chosen this particular traffic pattern due to the following circumstances:

• Colonial factor.

Back in the middle of the last century, Great Britain was an empire over which the sun never set. Most of the former colonies scattered around the world, after gaining independence, decided to keep their usual left-hand traffic.

• The political factor.

During the Great French Revolution, a decree was issued, which ordered all residents of the republic to move along the "common" right side of the road. When did he come to power Napoleon Bonaparte, the traffic pattern has become a policy argument. In those states that supported Napoleon - Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain - right-hand traffic was established. On the other hand, those who opposed France - Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, Portugal - turned out to be "leftists". Subsequently, left-hand traffic in these three countries was preserved only in the United Kingdom.

Political friendship with Great Britain contributed to the introduction of "leftism" on the roads in Japan: in 1859 Queen Victoria's Ambassador Sir Rutherford Alcock persuaded the authorities of the island state to accept left-hand traffic.

When was right-hand traffic established in Russia?

In Russia, the norms of right-hand traffic were formed back in the Middle Ages. Danish envoy under Peter I, Just Juhl in 1709 he wrote that "in the Russian Empire it is everywhere in the custom that carts and sledges, meeting each other, disperse, keeping to the right side." In 1752 Empress Elizaveta Petrovna consolidated this norm in law, issuing a decree on the introduction of right-hand traffic for carriages and cabbies on the streets of the cities of the empire.

Countries that have changed the movement

History knows many examples when countries switched from one traffic pattern to another. States did this for the following reasons:

• "In spite of yesterday's occupants"

The United States switched to driving on the right side of the road after independence from Britain in 1776.

Korea switched to right-hand traffic after graduation Japanese occupation in 1946.

• Geographic feasibility

Many former British colonies in Africa switched to right-hand traffic in the mid-1960s and early 1970s. Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana did this for convenience: around them were the "right-handed" former French colonies.

Sweden is the last to change direction in Europe. In 1967, the so-called "H" Day took place there, when all the cars of the kingdom changed to another lane. The reason for the transition to the "right" lay not only in geography, but also in the economy. Most of the countries where cars made in Sweden went to use the left-hand drive.

Swedish day "H". Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

In 2009, Samoa switched to left-hand traffic. This was due to the large number of used right-hand drive vehicles supplied to the country from Australia and New Zealand.

"Left" exceptions

In right-handed countries, there is room for left-handed exceptions. So, on the small street of General Lemonnier (350 meters long) in Paris, move on the left side. There are small areas with left-hand traffic in Odessa (Vysoky lane), in Moscow (passing to Leskova street), in St. Petersburg (Fontanka river embankment) and in Vladivostok (Semyonovskaya street in the section from Aleutskaya street to the intersection with Okeansky prospect, as well as on the street.Mordovtseva).

Which traffic is safer?

According to experts, which side you are driving on does not affect the degree of traffic safety - it is just a matter of habit.

Countries with left-hand traffic

The global ratio of right-hand to left-hand roads is 72% and 28%, with 66% of the world's drivers driving on the right side and 34% on the left.

North America

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Jamaica

South America

• Guyana
• Suriname

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Malta

• Bangladesh
• Brunei
• Butane
• East Timor
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Macau
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Sri Lanka
• Japan

• Botswana
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Seychelles
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Uganda

• Australia
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Fiji

Even before the invention of the automobile, a person noticed that compliance with the general agreement to drive on one side of the road helps to reduce vehicle collisions and traffic jams. After the prevalence of driving, most governments adopted an agreement for drivers to keep to right-hand traffic. However, some states, due to various characteristics, preferred left-hand driving. For more details on how many countries have made this decision and why, see our overview material.

What influences the choice of direction in different countries

Today, a third of the world's population adheres to the left-hand side of the road, and almost the same number of all freeways in the world are left-hand. Thus, right-hand traffic is used much more often. This is explained by historical traditions and the fact that most people on the planet are right-handed. So, when riding in horse sleds, the rider could quickly make a maneuver of turning to the right (in order, for example, to avoid a collision with another carriage or a traveler on a narrow road) than to the left, since it is the right hand that is stronger and better developed.

Later, when the horseless carriages, controlled by the lever, appeared, the drivers also had to make a lot of effort to control. It was better to operate with the right hand. Most likely, it was this physiological feature that led to the fact that right-hand driving became traditional, and later standardized.

Important! Despite the assurances of the adherents of the right-hand drive about the greater safety of left-hand traffic, experts say that the direction of movement does not in any way affect the number of accidents. Safety on highways can only be ensured by serviceable transport and strict adherence to traffic rules.

However, there are other versions that claim that movement along the left side of the road appeared earlier (in particular, this is how people moved in the Roman Empire). And the first documented law that ordered the citizens of the country to stick to the left side was the bill of 1756 passed in England. It spoke of the norm to travel in this way across London Bridge. The law also established a fine for violation - a pound of silver.

A quarter of a century later, in Britain, at the legislative level, it was prescribed to drive along the left edge of all the roads of the state. Later, since Great Britain became a colonial power, then all its colonies also had to obey this law and switch to left-hand traffic. So, the tradition of such a ride came to India, Pakistan and Australia, where the influence of England was very high.

If we talk about the factors that influenced the choice of the direction of movement in Europe and the United States, historians argue that France and its authority among the world community in the era of Napoleon played a huge role here. So, the countries that supported the policy of the French emperor (in particular, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain) followed the French and legalized right-hand driving.

Those who did not share it and were in opposition to the head of France preferred to move to the left. It is about such countries as the above-mentioned Great Britain, as well as Austria-Hungary and Portugal.

Historical traditions of influencing the choice of direction of travel did not stop at the above countries. The next step was Japan - the country of the rising sun. According to historians, samurai fastened their sword on their left side. And so as not to catch each other during horse races, they parted, turning to the right. The nationwide rule of left-hand traffic was formed in the 18th century. And finally, the Japanese approved it at the legislative level in 1927.

An interesting fact is that America was at first a supporter of "leftism", but under the influence of the French general Marie-Joseph Lafayette in the 18th century, she preferred right-hand driving.

There are also a number of countries that, over time, and probably under the influence of neighboring powers in the twentieth century, changed from left-hand driving to right-hand driving. These include, in particular, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Korea, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone.

The reverse transition - from the left rudder to the right - was made only by 2 countries: Samoa and Mozambique. The first is because a considerable number of used cars intended for right-hand driving were brought to the state. The second is under the influence of neighboring powers.

Did you know? The Swedes have been preparing to switch to right-hand driving for 4 years. On September 3, 1967, at 4:50 am, traffic stopped, and from 5 am, all the drivers moved to the other side of the highway. In Swedish history, this date is called "Day" H "": from the Swede. "Högertrafik" - "right-hand traffic".

How the direction influenced vehicle design

At the dawn of the car industry, there was no clear placement of the steering wheel on the left or right - cars were produced with different placement. However, over time, the tradition of placing the steering wheel on the left has become entrenched - it was more convenient to disembark taxi passengers when driving on the right and it is more comfortable to have a view when you go to overtake.

In addition to the actual placement of the steering wheel and driver's seat, there are other structural differences in cars, which were influenced by this fact. So, the device of the wipers responsible for cleaning the windshield is different. In cars with a left-hand drive at rest, they are folded to the right side, in cars with a right-hand drive - to the left. The wiper switch for left-hand drive vehicles is located on the right side of the steering column.

As for the turn switches, today they are located the same in all cars (although until recently there were models where they were on the left).

Find out what to do if the turn signals stop working.

It should be noted that manufacturers of modern cars for the mass buyer do not follow the lead of drivers who are accustomed to left-hand traffic, and to save the cost price of cars, they produce models with only one difference - the location of the driver's seat. The rest of the parameters for left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars, as a rule, are the same (with the exception of certain brands).

Did you know? The sports car manufacturer McLaren produced a model called the McLaren F1 in 1992-1998, in which the steering wheel and driver's seat were located in the center of the cabin. From 1993-2005, it was the fastest car in the world.

List of countries with left-hand traffic, current for 2018 Below is the current list of countries where only left-hand traffic is legally fixed.

Countries marked in green on the map - with right-hand traffic, yellow - with left-hand traffic

Among the European states, there are only 4 ardent representatives with legalized left-hand driving:

Great Britain; Malta; Ireland; Cyprus.

There are quite a few countries in Asia where they move along the left edge of the roads. These include:

Bangladesh; Brunei; India; Indonesia Japan; Malaysia; Maldives; Nepal; Pakistan; Singapore; Thailand; Sri Lanka; East Timor.

Among the states and islands of Oceania, the left side when driving on highways is adhered to:

Australia; Fiji; Republic of Kiribati; Republic of Nauru; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Solomon islands; Kingdom of Tonga; Tuvalu.

In addition, on the left side of the road they drive in the Bahamas, in the Lesser Antilles: in Antigua, Dominica, Barbados, in Grenada, in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in Saint Vincent, as well as in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia and Jamaica.

Thus, various historical reasons influenced which half of the road is traveled in a particular country of the world. Residents of 53 countries adhere to the left side of traffic on highways. Right-hand traffic is considered traditional. Accordingly, much more left-hand drive cars are produced. If a person is planning a trip to another state by car, then he definitely needs to familiarize himself with the traffic rules in force on his territory. Switching to the “opposite” steering wheel is not easy - you also need to change the road signs.

Left-hand traffic is the hallmark of England, as well as some other countries. But in Europe, Great Britain is considered the only country where it is customary to drive on the left. What is the reason for this phenomenon?

Left-hand traffic: historical background

According to historians, the left side of the road was chosen back in the days when horse-drawn carriages were driving around London. Driving on the right, the coachman could accidentally hit people on the sidewalk with a whip. Therefore, everyone drove to the left.

Some researchers believe that left-hand traffic came to the British Isles from the Romans, who once conquered them. It was also more convenient there to ride a horse on the left, and hold a sword in your right hand. This would make it possible to quickly repulse the attackers with the strongest hand.

In addition, the English bill, introduced in 1756, worked in favor of the "left" movement. It said that only traffic on the left now exists on London Bridge. For violation of the rule, a large fine was assumed.

Exactly 20 years after the bill, left-hand traffic legislation was passed throughout England. This way of traveling by car is still relevant today.

Marine explanation

For a long time, the fate of Great Britain was associated with the sea. After all, only steamships and ships went to the islands. They were the link between England and the rest of the world. Therefore, maritime traditions are closely intertwined with the way of life of the British.

Previously, ships bypassed ships on the left. And for a country so closely connected with the sea, there is nothing surprising in the fact that this custom has become overland.

To date, overtaking on the right is accepted in navigation.

Countries that followed Great Britain

States using left-hand traffic made their choice under the influence of the following factors:

• Colonial reason. Even in the last century, England had many colonies under its control. Therefore, after the abolition of colonization, many states retained the usual pattern of movement, as the only correct one;
• Political reason. Thanks to Napoleon, France set the tone among other countries in choosing the side of the road. Those who supported Napoleon also introduced the right-handed scheme. And those who were against chose the left side.

The friendship between England and Japan resulted in the introduction of a left-hand driving scheme for the second country. A new law was passed in 1859. And it is valid today.

When the colonies of England in the United States gained freedom, they switched to right-hand traffic, but earlier they also drove there, keeping to the left. This was the response of the Americans to the invaders.

What about left-hand traffic in the world?

The world community is 72% of those who choose the right way. And only 28% of those who drive on the left.

In North America, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados, driving on the left.

In South America, this is the state of affairs in Suriname and Guyana.

And in Europe England, Ireland and Malta are on the left. In Asia, 17 countries are left-handed.

In Africa, there are 13 such countries, and in Oceania, their number is 8. Not so few, if we look at it in general.

The rest of the world has chosen the right side of the road to drive. But what is the reason for this choice?

Left and right: reasons for the transition

Going from one side to the other is not easy. For example, in Sweden they switched to right-hand traffic because of the large number of cars suitable for this. We made the transition on a specially designated day.

The former colonies of England in the United States made their choice in protest against the former occupiers.

South Korea, having escaped from the Japanese oppression, also changed "left" to "right". They did the same in China.

Features of driving on the left

Tourists who first come to a country where left-hand traffic operates, note the inconvenience of switching to a different driving style.

Some are afraid when changing directions. If the above factors are present, you should refrain from independent travel by car. After all, you can always use public transport or taxis. And getting over yourself behind the wheel is life-threatening.

It is not difficult to drive on the left side, the main thing is to carefully look at the signs and markings, and also not to rush. A few days of practice on the youthful streets - and now you can drive to the main avenues of London.

To facilitate the task, you can build a route in detail in the navigator, as well as search in advance on the map for detours and parking spots. In addition to all this, in each country there are courses where they help to learn to ride from a new side.

The consequence of left-hand traffic is simpler traffic rules, as well as a certain freedom for those who wish to be polite on the road.

For example, there are stories that English gentlemen advocated left-hand traffic, as it allowed you to freely shake hands at low speed, and then leave without problems.

Millions of motorists argue about which is better: driving to the right or to the left. But Great Britain made its choice long ago, and it seems that it is not going to change it.

England is very different from many other European states. She has a special culture, rich history and her own traditions that have turned into habits. And left-hand traffic for the British is as natural as oatmeal for breakfast. In the UK, they even believe that only this way of travel is the most reliable, comfortable and safe.

The division into the right and left sides of the movement began even before the appearance of the first car. Historians are still arguing among themselves which movement in Europe was the initial one. During the existence of the Roman Empire, horsemen rode on the left so that the right hand, in which they held their weapons, was ready to instantly strike the enemy traveling towards them. Evidence was found that the Romans had left-hand traffic: in 1998, in the UK, in the Swindon area, a Roman quarry was excavated, near which the left track was broken stronger than the right, as well as on a Roman denarius (dated 50 BC - 50 A.D.), two horsemen were depicted traveling on the left side.
Sitting on a horse in the Middle Ages was more convenient when driving to the left, since the sword did not interfere with the landing. However, there is an argument against this argument - the convenience of riding on the left or right lane when riding on horseback varies depending on the method of riding, and there were not so many warriors compared to the rest of the population. After people stopped taking weapons with them on the road, the movement began to gradually change to right-hand traffic. This was due to the fact that most people are right-handed, and with the advantage of the right hand in strength and dexterity, many things are more comfortable to do while driving on the right side of the road.
When walking (unarmed), when driving a horse and a cart, it is more convenient to keep to the right side. From this side, it is more convenient for a person to be close to oncoming traffic in order to stop for a conversation with oncoming traffic, and it is easier for a person to hold the bridle with his right hand. The knights at the tournaments also rode on the right - they held the shield in their left hand, and the spear was placed on the back of the horse, but there is an argument against this argument - the tournaments were just demonstrative "shows" and real life had no relation.
Depending on the type of horse-drawn carriage, the convenience of right- and left-hand traffic varies: for single-seater carriages with a driver's seat in front, it is preferable to ride on the right side, since when traveling with another carriage, the driver has to pull the reins more with his right hand. Crews with a postilion (a coachman driving a team sitting on one of the horses) also adhered to the right side - the postilion always sits on the left horse in order to facilitate boarding and control with the right hand. Multi-seat and open carriages drove on the left side of the road - so the coachman could not accidentally hit a passenger or a passer-by walking on the sidewalk with a whip.
In Russia, even under Peter I, right-hand traffic was accepted as the norm, carts and sledges drove away, as a rule, keeping to the right side, and in 1752 Empress Elizaveta Petrovna issued an official decree on the introduction of right-hand traffic of carriages and cabbies on the streets of Russian cities. Among Western countries, the first law on the side of movement was issued in England - it was a bill from 1756, according to which traffic on London Bridge should be on the left side, and in the case of "driving into an oncoming lane" a fine of 1 pound of silver was charged. And only 20 years later, the British government issued the historic "Road Act", which spelled out the introduction of left-hand traffic. By the way, the same movement was adopted on the Manchester-Liverpool railroad, which opened in 1830. According to one of the assumptions, England took this from the maritime rules, since it was an island state, and the only connection with the rest of the countries was navigation - through them the ship passed another vessel, which was approaching it from the right.
Great Britain is considered the main culprit of the “leftism”, which then influenced many countries of the world. According to one version, she introduced the same order on her roads from the maritime rules, that is, at sea, another ship passed another, which was approaching from the right.
The influence of Great Britain influenced the order of movement in its colonies, therefore, in particular, in countries such as India, Pakistan, Australia, left-hand traffic of vehicles was adopted. In 1859, the ambassador of Queen Victoria, Sir R. Alcock, persuaded the Tokyo authorities to also adopt a left-hand movement.
Right-hand movement is often associated with France, with its influence on many other countries. During the Great French Revolution of 1789 in a decree issued in Paris, it was ordered to move on the "pro-people" right side. A little later, Napoleon consolidated this position by ordering the military to keep to the right side. Further, such an order of movement, as it is not strange, was associated with big politics in early XIX centuries. Those who supported Napoleon - Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain. On the other hand, those who opposed the Napoleonic army: Britain, Austria-Hungary, Portugal turned out to be "leftists". The influence of France was so great that it influenced many countries in Europe and they switched to right-hand traffic. However, in England, Portugal, Sweden and some other countries, the movement remained left-sided. A curious situation has developed in Austria in general. In some provinces, the movement was left-sided, while in others it was right-sided. And only after the Anschluss in the 30s with Germany, the whole country moved to the right-hand side.
In the beginning, there was also a left-hand movement in the United States. But, probably, the Americans' love of freedom was expressed, in contrast to the British, to do the opposite. It is believed that the French general Marie-Joseph Lafayette, who made a significant contribution to the struggle for independence from the British crown, "convinced" the Americans to switch to the right-wing movement. At the same time, Canada maintained a left-hand movement until the 1920s.
At various times, left-hand traffic was adopted in many countries, but they switched to new rules. For example, due to the proximity to the former French colonies with right-hand traffic, the rules were replaced by the former British colonies in Africa. In Czechoslovakia (formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), left-hand traffic was maintained until 1938. The DPRK and South Korea switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1946 after the end of the Japanese occupation.
One of last countries that switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic was Sweden. This happened in 1967. Preparations for reform began as early as 1963, when the Swedish Parliament established the State Commission for the Transition to Right-Hand Traffic, which was to develop and implement a set of measures to ensure such a transition. On September 3, 1967 at 4:50 am, all vehicles had to stop, change sides of the road and continue driving at 5:00. For the first time after the transition, a special speed limitation mode was set.
After the appearance of cars in Europe, there was a real leapfrog. Most of countries traveled on the right side - this custom has been imposed since the time of Napoleon. However, in England, Sweden and even one part of Austria-Hungary, left-hand traffic reigned. And in Italy, different cities generally had different rules!
As for the location of the steering wheel, on the first cars in most cases it was on the “wrong” right side for us. Moreover, regardless of which side the cars drove on. This was done so that the driver could better see the overtaken car. In addition, with such an arrangement of the steering wheel, the driver could get out of the car directly onto the sidewalk, and not onto the roadway. By the way, the first mass-produced car with the "correct" steering wheel was the Ford T.

In which countries of the world is there left-hand traffic on the roads?

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bermuda
Butane
Botswana
Brunei
Cocos islands
Cook islands
Cyprus
Dominica
East Timor (right-hand traffic 1928-1976)
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Grenada
Guyana
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Macau
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Zealand
Norfolk
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Swaziland
Tanzania
Thailand
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
British Virgin Islands
American virgin islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe

P.S. We can be grateful to Great Britain for the fact that there is left-hand traffic. England is located on islands, and the sea route was once the only way for its inhabitants to communicate with residents of other countries. There has always been a huge congestion of ships in ports, and they often collided. To restore order, the naval department issued a decree, the essence of which was reduced to the rule "keep to the left."

That is, the ships were supposed to let the oncoming ships on the right. Gradually, this principle began to be guided in the overland movement of carts and carriages.
And with the advent of the car, the well-known conservatism of the British played a role - they did not change anything in relation to car traffic.
Subsequently, the rule spread to all countries under the influence of Britain, including India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, Thailand, Great Britain, Kenya, Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Jamaica, Maldives, Bahamas, Cyprus.

Countries that changed the movement:
At various times in many countries, left-hand traffic was adopted, but due to the inconvenience associated with the fact that the neighbors of these countries had right-hand traffic, they switched to right-hand traffic. The most famous in history was the H-Day in Sweden, when the country switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic.

The former British colonies in Africa Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana also changed the right-hand drive to the left due to the proximity to the countries of the former French colonies with right-hand traffic. Conversely, the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique changed the left-hand drive to the right, due to the proximity to the former British colonies. The DPRK and South Korea switched from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1946 after the end of the Japanese occupation.