Left-hand traffic or right-hand traffic ... How to find out what is better, more convenient, what is more rational in operation, finally?

First time in England

In fact, there is not much difference between right- and left-sided. Left-hand traffic was first carried out in England (in many European countries, on the contrary, right-hand traffic is accepted). And so it went that in the former English colonies, left-handedness was preserved, since the change required a reformatting of the psychology of the inhabitants and, moreover, was quite expensive!

Also rail traffic. In Argentina - left-hand drive, and in many European countries, although cars obey the right-hand drive! That's the way it is, that's the tradition.

Countries where cars drive on the left

Most people in the world are right-handed. Therefore, the very expediency of most of the right-hand traffic is not in doubt. But it turns out that there are not so few countries in which left-hand traffic is legal. 28% of all roads on the planet are left-handed. 34% of the world's population travels on the left side, and this is not so little. As already mentioned, the main reason for this was the colonial policy in England. Left-hand traffic has spread in the former British colonies and territories once dependent on Great Britain.

Here are the countries of Europe where the traffic is on the left-hand side: Great Britain, Malta, Ireland, Cyprus. In Asia, these are Japan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Macau, Pakistan, Thailand, Nepal, Hong Kong, Singapore and some others. As you can see, there are quite a few of them! In Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Zealand. In Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique. In Latin America: Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Suriname. Still driving on the left in Japan. You can list and list!

A bit of history

There were even precedents in history when entire states switched from left-handed to right-handed and vice versa. The country of Sweden replaced the left-hand traffic of cars with the right-hand one in one day. This happened in 1967. America, in an effort to disown its "English dependence", made it easier - not in the same way as in England. Namely, this country has made an indisputable contribution to the development of the global automotive industry. And many countries of the world took an example from her!

We add that in modern cars, the driver's seat is closer to the side of the oncoming traffic: on the right in places of left-hand traffic, on the left in countries with right-hand traffic, respectively. This creates additional convenience for the driver, expands the field of view and gives the ability to respond faster.

And one more thing from history: in Russia in the Middle Ages, the rules of traffic (right-hand) developed by themselves and were observed as the most natural. And Empress Elizabeth in the distant 1752 issues a decree on right-hand traffic on the streets of Russian cities for cab drivers and carriages.

And in the West, the first law that would regulate traffic on the streets was the English bill of 1756, in which traffic was to be carried out on the left side.

Traffic rules have been around for a very long time. And, as you know, all over the world now there are two types of roads, with right-hand and left-hand traffic. For most people, right-hand traffic is closer and more natural, since almost everyone is right-handed by nature.

History of left-hand traffic

On the preferences and choices for countries are the prevailing habits, the mentality of the population and historical features.

Even in ancient times, when there were carriages and riders, there was a division of the road into right and left sides. Wagons had better stick to the left roads, as well as riders. With a wave of the whip with the right hand, there was no need to be afraid of hurting one of the passers-by walking along the road.

In modern times, right-hand traffic is more acceptable for most countries. But, there are also a number of countries that prefer left-hand traffic. it Ireland, UK, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Malta, Barbados, Brunei, India. If you look at the percentage, then up to 35% of all road routes planets prefer left-hand traffic. More 66% of the world's population drives on the right side. More than 72% of all roads are based on right-hand traffic. As you can see, most of the people on the planet prefer left-hand drive.

There are countries that, for their own reasons, and more comfort, have changed the left side to the right, this Nigeria and Sweden. And Samoa has reversed direction. Ukraine, as well as the CIS countries, also adhere to the right-hand traffic.

Why do some countries prefer the left side? Let's take the UK for example. It is known from history that in 1776 A law was passed that allowed people to move on London Bridge only on the left side. This was the reason for the order of left-hand traffic, which exists to this day. Great Britain is the first country in Western Europe to officially adopt left-hand traffic and has influenced several other countries.

Rudder location history

As a rule, for all cars, the driver's seat is located on the side of the oncoming traffic. In countries with right-hand traffic, it is on the left. Where left-hand traffic is used, the driver's seat is on the right.

Right hand drive and right-hand traffic existed in European countries until the end of the Second World War. For example, in Russia and the countries of the USSR until 1932, all cars were made with the right wheel. Why then did everything change? Everyone knows the name of the constructor Henry Ford after which a popular car brand is named.

It was the car that was first released with a left-hand drive. This model was in production. from 1907 to 1927. Now it can be seen in the museum. Prior to this, all cars in America were produced with a right-hand drive. The reason for the steering wheel on the left side was very simple - Henry Ford designed this car with frequent commuters in mind..

It was much more convenient, and he placed the gearbox not on the outside of the car, but on the steering column. So gradually, with the advent of American cars in Europe, the traffic system began to change, and many countries preferred the left-hand drive, because of convenience and rationality.

Situation in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia

Most European countries prefer to drive on the right. Ireland and the UK drive on the left side of the road. Also, this applies to some countries - English colonies, such as Australia, India.

In Africa, the right steering wheel was changed to the left former British Colonies, Ganna, Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. But Mozambique preferred the left-hand drive, due to its proximity to the countries - English colonies.

Korea (South and North) changed from right hand drive to left hand drive after the end of Japanese rule, in 1946. In the USA, right-hand traffic is used. Previously, until the end of the 18th century in the United States of America, traffic was left-handed, but then changed to right-handed.

In North America, some countries use left hand drive - this is Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda. As for Asian countries, the list is significant: Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Cyprus, Macao, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brunei, Bhutan, East Timor.

Australia inherited left-hand traffic from the time of the British colonies. Australia currently uses left-hand drive and right-hand drive.

The main differences between right and left-hand traffic

The difference between left- and right-hand traffic lies in the location of the steering wheel, and the principle of driving. For drivers who, for example, are accustomed to driving in a country with left-hand traffic, it will be a little difficult adapt to some nuances of right-hand traffic. If, for example, a traveler rents a car in a country with a different type of traffic, then he needs to adapt a little and get used to this principle. In general, there is no significant difference. But there are nuances.

An interesting fact is that not only the car movement system developed in this direction. rail traffic also has the same rules. Rail transport throughout Europe tends to drive on the left, but vehicles in most European countries drive on the right.

Actually, the difference between the left and the right movement is that the whole process is the other way around. (in one case - from left to right, and from right to left) This regarding driving, crossings, driving rules. Everything is exactly the same, only in reverse order. Like a mirror image.

Disadvantages and advantages of left-hand traffic

Most people agree that driving on the right is more convenient for people, even from purely physiological reasons. After all, many people are right-handed. Why do some countries still prefer left-hand traffic? It is difficult to answer this question with precision. Maybe, so historically like in the UK for example.

Left-hand traffic has one important advantage, it is right handicap rule. In England, where left-hand traffic is preferred, the roundabout movement is clockwise not at all like ours. This means that all entrances to the roundabout let all those who are already on the roundabout pass. Therefore, most intersections in the UK look like small squares where there is no need for a traffic light.

This saves time. It is very convenient and comfortable. The movement is clear and logical. Most of the maneuvers on the road are not through the oncoming lane. It is much safer and more comfortable for the driver.

Some motorists believe that the principle of driving on the left is much more logical and absolutely corresponds to the correct common sense. However, due to the mentality and historical features, this is not suitable for all people. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about any specific disadvantages and advantages. After all, everything is relative and can be used depending on personal preferences.

The existence of right- and left-hand traffic for more than a decade adds work to automakers and headaches for drivers who are forced to drive on the wrong side on vacation or on a business trip. And in this duality that still exists, as it turns out, the horses are to blame.

As you might guess, right-hand traffic is no worse and no better than left-hand traffic - if only both cars and road infrastructure are fully adapted to it. Novice English or Australian drivers get used to the road no slower or faster than German and Russian "dummies". Maybe that's why all the countries of the world cannot come to a single option for so long - and for example, the small state of Samoa in Oceania switched from a right-handed option to a left-handed one a little over five years ago. The fact is that a hundred years ago Samoa was a German colony and when laying roads, right-hand traffic familiar to the Germans was introduced - however, it is more convenient to transport cars to the islands from Australia and New Zealand, where they are overwhelmingly "right-handed". Therefore, the local prime minister in the fall of 2009 gave the country a command to drive on the other side of the road.
But if two traffic patterns are equally good (or equally bad) - how then was the choice made? Did our ancestors at some point tritely tossed up a coin? Not at all.
At the end of the last century, archaeologists carried out excavations on the territory of the quarry of ancient Roman times and discovered, among other things, the road to it. Based on the fact that on one side the track was noticeably deeper than on the other (the reason for which was the difference in weight between an empty and loaded cart), experts concluded that left-hand traffic was adopted on the territory of this ancient "enterprise". A number of other finds confirm this conclusion: in ancient times, people clearly preferred to move on the left side.

The jockeys who drive the most luxurious carriage at the disposal of the British royal family do not have to snuggle anywhere: no other vehicle will simply be allowed into the streets through which the crew must pass.

The fact is that for a motorist there is no fundamental difference which side to go around. But thousands of years ago, the most popular means of transportation on land was a horse, but for a rider or a coachman driving a wagon, there is already a difference. Most people are right-handed, and prefer to mount a horse on the left side, and hold a weapon or, for example, a whip in their right hand. It was because of this that the horsemen, for example, preferred to disperse on their right sides - in order to be in a more convenient position in case of an attack. And it was more convenient for the coachmen to ride on the left, so that the whip had less chance of catching on the bushes or hedges on the side of the road - or catching someone walking along the side of the road.
Thus, left-hand traffic looks more familiar and natural - but then who came up with the idea to take the other side of the road? A number of historians believe that multi-horse teams are to blame for everything, where the driver did not sit on a carriage or wagon, but directly on one of the horses. It was most convenient for the coachman on the left rear horse - however, in this case, he did not “feel the dimensions” of the crew very well, driving around with oncoming carts. Therefore, both the luxurious carriages of the nobility ("six hundredth Mercs" of their time), and heavy cargo carts (which were more expensive to collide with) began to keep to the right side. Over time, those who drove less cumbersome and prestigious carriages also acquired the habit of driving on the right. As a result, in the 18th century, the right-hand traffic pattern was officially fixed in many European countries: for example, in France it was done in 1794, and in Russia even earlier, in 1752, by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

There would be no England - there would be no "right" rudder. The legitimacy of this statement in automotive circles has been arguing for decades.

Let's try to figure out why the left-hand traffic pattern has taken root in the UK and how this has affected other countries of the world.

The English authorities legislated the rule to drive on the left side of the road in 1756. For violation of the bill, an impressive fine was provided - a pound of silver.
There are two main versions that explain why in the middle of the 18th century England opted for left-hand traffic.

Roman version

In ancient Rome, left-hand traffic was used. This approach was explained by the fact that the legionnaires held weapons 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 spread to England. This version is supported by the results of archaeological expeditions. In 1998, a Roman quarry was excavated in the county of Wiltshire in the southwest of England, near which the left track was broken more than the right.

Marine version

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

In modern international rules of navigation, right-hand traffic is fixed.

How did English "leftism" spread all over the world?

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

colonial factor

Great Britain in the middle of the last century 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.

Political factor

During the French Revolution, a decree was issued in which all residents of the republic were ordered to move along the “common” right side of the road. When Napoleon Bonaparte came to power, the scheme of movement turned into an argument of politics. 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 "leftist". Subsequently, left-hand traffic in this trio of 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, the ambassador of Queen Victoria, Sir Rutherford Alcock, convinced the authorities of the island state to accept left-hand traffic.

When did right-hand traffic become established in Russia?

In Russia, the norms of right-hand traffic were established in the Middle Ages. The Danish envoy under Peter I, Just Yul, wrote in 1709 that “in the Russian Empire, it is customary everywhere for wagons and sleighs, meeting each other, to drive away, keeping to the right side.” In 1752, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna enshrined this norm in law by issuing a decree on the introduction of right-hand traffic for carriages and cab drivers on the streets of the cities of the empire.

Left-hand traffic in Vladivostok

East is a delicate matter. And the Far East is not clear at all):

As you probably heard, two streets with left-hand traffic appeared in the center of Vladivostok.

Due to the opening of the bridge across the Golden Horn Bay, the organization of traffic in the city center was changed, "in order to optimize traffic and avoid crossing traffic flows." Including on two streets, it is very unusual - in fact, left-hand traffic was introduced there. But now right-hand drive cars look very harmonious on them.

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:

"To spite yesterday's occupiers"

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

Korea switched to right-hand traffic after the end of the 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 so for convenience: they were surrounded by “right-traveling” former French colonies.

Sweden was 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 lanes. The reason for the transition to "law" lay not only in geography, but also in economics. Most of the countries where Swedish-made cars went used left-hand drive.

Samoa switched to driving on the left in 2009. This was due to the large number of used right-hand drive cars that were shipped to the country from Australia and New Zealand.

"Left" exceptions

In right-handed countries there is room for "left" exceptions. So, on the small street of General Lemonnier (350 meters long) in Paris, they move on the left side. There are small sections with left-hand traffic in Odessa (Vysokiy Lane), in Moscow (junction at Leskova St.), in St. on Mordovtseva street).

Which move is safer?

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

Countries with left-hand traffic

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

In North America

Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Jamaica

In South America

Guyana
Suriname
Europe

Great Britain
Ireland
Malta
Asia

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

Botswana
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Kenya
Lesotho
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Seychelles
Swaziland
Tanzania
Uganda
South Africa
Oceania

Australia
Kiribati
Nauru
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Tonga
Fiji

Even before the invention of the automobile, man noticed that following a common agreement to drive on one side of the road helps to reduce vehicle collisions and traffic jams. As car travel became common, most governments adopted an agreement for drivers to drive on the right side of the road. However, some states, due to various features, have preferred left-hand driving. Read more about how many countries have made such a decision and why - in our review material.

What influences the choice of direction in different countries

Today, a third of the world's population drives on the left side of the road, and almost as many of all the world's freeways are left-handed. 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-drawn sleds, the rider could quickly turn 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 horseless carriages, controlled by a lever, appeared, the drivers also had to make considerable efforts to control. It was better to control with the right hand. Most likely, it was this physiological feature that led to the fact that right-handed driving became traditional, and later normalized.

Important! Despite the assurances of right-hand drive adherents about the greater safety of left-hand drive, experts argue that the direction of movement does not in any way affect the number of accidents. Safety on highways can only be ensured by proper 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 they moved in the Roman Empire). And the first documented law that ordered the citizens of the country to keep to the left was the bill of 1756 adopted in England. It talked about the norm to move in this way on 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 on the left side of all the roads of the state. Later, since Great Britain became a colonial power, 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, then historians argue that France and its authority among the world community in the era of Napoleon played a huge role here. Thus, 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 on the left side. We are talking about such countries as the UK already mentioned above, as well as Austria-Hungary and Portugal.
Historical traditions to influence the choice of direction of movement did not stop at the above countries. Next in line was Japan - the land of the rising sun. According to historians, the samurai fastened their sword on their left side. And in order not to catch each other during horse races, they dispersed, turning to the right. The national 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 at first America was a supporter of "leftism", but under the influence of the French general Marie-Joseph Lafayette in the 18th century, she preferred right-handed driving.

There are a number of countries that, over time and probably under the influence of neighboring powers in the 20th century, changed from left-handed driving to right-handed driving. These include, in particular, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Korea, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone.
The reverse transition - from the left steering wheel to the right one - was made only by 2 countries: Samoa and Mozambique. The first is because a substantial number of used cars intended for right-hand drive were brought into the state. The second - 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 a.m., traffic stopped, and from 5 a.m. all drivers moved to the other side of the freeway. In Swedish history, this date is called "Day "H"": from Swede.« hogertrafik» - « right-hand traffic» .

How the direction influenced the design of vehicles

At the dawn of the automotive industry, there was no clear placement of the steering wheel on the left or right - cars were produced with different placements. However, over time, the tradition of placing the steering wheel on the left became entrenched - it was more convenient to disembark taxi passengers when driving on the right and more comfortable to review when you go to overtake.
In addition to the actual placement of the steering wheel and the driver's seat, there are other structural differences in cars that were influenced by this fact. So, the device of the wipers responsible for cleaning the windshield is different. In left-hand drive cars at rest, they are folded to the right side, in right-hand drive cars - to the left. The wiper switch on left-hand drive vehicles is located on the right side of the steering column.

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

It should be noted that manufacturers of modern cars for the mass buyer do not follow the lead of drivers accustomed to left-hand traffic, and to save costs, cars 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 are usually the same (with the exception of certain brands).

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

List of countries with left-hand traffic, relevant for 2018

Below is an up-to-date list of states where only left-hand traffic is legally fixed.
Countries marked in green on the map - with right-hand traffic, yellow - with left-hand traffic

Europe

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

• Great Britain;
• Malta;
• Ireland;
• Cyprus.

Asia

There are quite a few countries in Asia where people drive on the left side of the roads. These include:

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

Africa

On the African continent, as well as in Asia, there are 13 powers and island states that adhere to the "leftism" when traveling by car.
Among them are:

• Botswana;
• Kenya;
• Lesotho;
• Mauritius;
• Mozambique;
• Namibia;
• Seychelles;
• Republic of South Africa;
• Swaziland;
• Tanzania;
• Uganda;
• Zambia;
• Zimbabwe.

South America

On the South American continent, the vast majority of powers have rules that require keeping the right side when driving cars.
And only 2 countries prefer driving on the left side of the road:

• Suriname.

Important! If a person going on a trip plans to travel in other countries in his own car or rent a car, then he needs to first familiarize himself with the direction of movement in those areas that he is going to visit.

Oceania

Among the states and islands of Oceania, the left side when driving on freeways adhere to:

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

In addition, driving on the left side of the road is carried out in the Bahamas, in the Lesser Antilles: in Antigua, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 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 people move in one or another 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 plans to travel 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 road signs.

Move to the right side of the road...

For the first time visiting a country in which drivers drive on the opposite side of the road from ours, a person, whether he wants it or not, falls into a stupor. It does not just look and feel strange, but at first it seems that the whole world has turned upside down and you are in the looking glass, the difference is so great.

Have you ever wondered why this happened? How did it happen historically that some countries (most) took the right-hand model for themselves, and the remaining states built roads and drew markings according to the left-hand model? The answers to these questions will take us back in time and will probably really shock you when it turns out that modern motorists owe the scheme of movement to whips, ancient military tactics and sailors.

Today, about 66% of the world's population moves on the right side of the road, while 72% of all roads have a right-hand traffic pattern, 28%, respectively, a left-hand one. It is interesting that in the modern world the evolution of traffic rules on the roads is still ongoing. Traffic is preferred on the right side of the road. So, in 2009, the Pacific island state of Samoa switched to left-hand traffic, 187 thousand people were added to the right-hand drive regiment. Rumor has it that the authorities had to do this because of the large number of used right-hand drive cars. The New York Times wrote that in order for people to get used to the changes in the country, a two-day holiday was announced.

Previously, other countries also massively switched to the other side of the road, mainly to the right-hand version.

The most famous historical crossing was made in Sweden. Once upon a time on the roads of this Scandinavian country, oddly enough, they moved on the left side. But due to the fact that all the neighbors had a diametrically opposed view on which side of the road to drive on, the Swedes had to capitulate and accept new rules of the game. The transition was carried out on 09/03/1967. This day went down in history under the name "Day "H"".

Some other countries have made transitions to right-hand traffic or vice versa to left-hand traffic for the same reasons, mainly due to the inconvenience of communicating with neighboring countries.

But when and how did the traditions originate to move along the road exactly the way people do it now. It all started in the days of foot travelers and chariots. There are many reasons, theories and real prerequisites for this. From the assumption that people on the road, when riding with nobles on horseback, clung to the left in order not to get hit by a whip, to purely physiological prerequisites associated with the fact that most people are right-handed and even political reasons.

Righties rule the world. The right-hand theory says that right-hand traffic appeared due to the fact that it was more convenient for right-handers to control with their right hand, it was safer to beat with a whip when driving on the right side of the road. Yes, and the peasants always clung to the left of the rushing carriage or the man on the horse, so that it would be more difficult for them to hit them with a whip, in which case. For the same reason, jousting tournaments were held according to the right-hand traffic rules.

In many countries, right-hand traffic developed spontaneously and was eventually enshrined in legislation. In the Russian Empire under Elizabeth I, right-hand traffic was officially legalized. However, even earlier in Russia, when two horse-drawn carriages passed, they pressed against the right side of the road.

In England, a little later, its own law "Road Act" was adopted, with which its own type of traffic was introduced - left-handed. Following the mistress of the seas, all her colonies and lands subject to them became left-handed on the roads. Great Britain seriously influenced the popularization of left-hand traffic.

England itself in antiquity was probably influenced by the Ancient Roman Empire. After the conquest of Foggy Albion, the Romans, who used to drive on the left side of the road, spread this tradition in the conquered territory.

Distribution of right-hand traffic historically attributed to Napoleon and his military expansion in Europe. The political factor played its role. The countries that supported the Emperor of France: Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Holland, Switzerland, began to drive on the right side of the road. Those countries that were their political opponents, England, Austria-Hungary, Portugal, remained on the left side.

Also, the political factor played a role in the case of the newly independent United States of America. After gaining independence from Great Britain, the Americans hurried to switch to right-hand traffic so that nothing reminds of the past.

The same thing was done in Korea after the end of the Japanese occupation in 1946.

Speaking of Japan. With this island nation, too, not everything is so simple. There are two theories about how the Japanese began to drive on the left. First, historical: the samurai fastened their scabbards and swords on the left side, so when moving, in order not to hurt passers-by, they moved along the left side of the road. The second theory is political: allegedly in 1859, the British ambassador convinced the Tokyo authorities to accept left-hand traffic.

These historical facts told us an interesting story about the origins of various traffic on the roads of the world.