The Left Road: Why These Countries Don’t Drive Right
On holiday in a bustling city like Tokyo? In such a big city, renting a car might be the thing for you to get everywhere easily. Only as soon as you get into the car, you notice something unusual. The steering wheel is on the right! Panic strikes. Now what? Welcome to the world of driving on the left. This unique way of driving may seem strange to those who drive on the right, but it is the norm for much of the world’s population. But why do some countries drive on the left? And how did this division actually come about?
A Dive into the History of Left Driving
To understand why some countries drive on the left, we need to go back in time. Centuries ago, riders in Europe were in the habit of riding on the left. The reason? Most people are right-handed. This made it easier, for example, to confront your enemy with your sword while riding on the left. This was especially useful for knights and soldiers in the Middle Ages.
But then came Napoleon, the French emperor who not only conquered Europe but also introduced his preference for right-hand driving. As a left-hander, he found it more comfortable to drive on the right, and this custom was soon introduced in the territories he conquered. Many European countries followed him, and so began the trend of right-hand driving.
The Netherlands and driving on the left
The Netherlands was one of the countries that drove on the left, the switch to driving on the right took place in 1906, and the reason was related to international trade and transport. More and more neighbouring countries such as Germany and Belgium, with which the Netherlands had many economic relations, were driving on the right. To smooth traffic between the countries, it was decided that the Netherlands should also make the switch. Slowly but surely, left-hand driving was abolished, and in 1928 it was officially banned throughout the Netherlands.
Interestingly, former British colonies maintained left-hand driving as a way to differentiate themselves from their conquerors and uphold their own traditions. That is why today we see a large number of countries continuing to drive on the left.
World map of Leftists
If you look at a world map, you will notice that about 35% of the world drives on the left. These countries are mostly former British colonies, but there are also some exceptions. Consider, for example, Japan, which was never colonised by Britain but still drives on the left. This is due to their own historical preference and British influence in the development of their railways.
A useful way to categorise these countries is by looking at:
- Islands: Many islands such as Malta, Cyprus and Japan drive on the left.
- Former British colonies: Australia, India, South Africa and the UK itself.
- Surprising countries: Suriname, in South America, is the only left-wing rider on the continent.
The Great Left Riding
Let’s look at some of the best-known countries that drive on the left.
- United Kingdom: The cradle of left-hand driving. The UK has a rich history and tradition around left-hand driving. It is one of the most iconic left-hand drivers, and the tradition is strongly defended by its people.
- Japan: Although Japan was not a British colony, driving on the left is the norm here. This is partly due to the influence of British engineers who helped build the railway network in the 19th century. In Japan, driving on the left symbolises a combination of tradition and modern technology.
- Australia: As a former part of the British Empire, Australia also drives on the left. This large country is known for its vast roads, where driving on the left is common on the many long drives through the outback.
- India: India’s chaotic traffic follows the rules of left-hand driving, which can sometimes be challenging for inexperienced drivers. Still, the system works here, and it is a good example of how left-hand driving works in a crowded environment.
Surprising Leftists
Not every country that drives on the left is a former British colony. These countries also drive on the left, even though you might not expect them to.
- Suriname: This South American country is one of the few places on the continent where you drive on the left. Although this country has a history as a Dutch colony and so you would think they drive on the right here, this is not so. The country was first a British colony and when the Netherlands swapped it for New York, they simply did not change the rule on driving on the left, because the Netherlands also drove on the left then.
- Cyprus: This Mediterranean island, with a rich history of influences from different civilisations, drives on the left. It is a popular destination for tourists, which can cause surprises when renting a car.
- Thailand: In Thailand, not only are cars adapted for driving on the left, but even tuk-tuks and elephants follow this rule!
Practical Tips for the Left-wing Traveller
Planning to go to a country where driving is on the left? No worries! With a few handy tips, you’ll be on your way in no time.
- Practise mentally: Before you leave, you can prepare by imagining how you drive on the left. Think about how to approach a roundabout or how to follow the lanes.
- Roundabouts: The main challenge is roundabouts. Remember to take them counter-clockwise.
- Technology: Make use of navigation systems and driving aids that alert you when you accidentally choose the wrong lane.
