Left Side, Right Side
December 19, 2005 · Posted in Uncategorized
I'm sure I haven't been the only American clod visiting Britain who was looking the wrong way while crossing the street. I very clearly remember my friends yelling to me as I crossed… "What is their problem?" I thought. So I stopped, turned around and walked back just in time to… live. It was a bit scary. What are they doing on the side of the road, anyway? Well, how-do-you-do, here's an article on that very topic: Why do some countries drive on the right
and others on the left ?
In the early years of english colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving. (Incidentally, the influence of other European countries' nationals should not be underestimated.) The first law requiring drivers to keep right was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, and similar laws were passed in New York in 1804 and New Jersey in 1813.
Have any of you had any troubles while driving in other countries?
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I was in the USAF in the 1970′s, stationed in the United Kingdom, which of course, drives on the left. Our military vehicles were American, thus the steering wheel was on the “wrong” side for the UK. Well, I came home to the states on leave to visit my parents, went to see my pal at his house, got into my parent’s car, pulled out onto the road (which was thankfully straight, though “up and down” – hilly) and looked ahead, this darned fool was driving down the wrong side of the road towards me! Well, I thought, I’ll just pull off the road on the left shoulder, he’s probably drunk or something. He passed me and looked at me like I was from mars, or something. Then it dawned on me who the idiot was…
It was the only time anything like that ever happened to me but it was a real fright once I realized.
Bob, here’s one not on your map. I’ve gone to the US Virgin Islands, specifically St Croix, and it’s a fantastic place, but you know what? They drive on the wrong side of the road!! In the USVI they drive on the left hand side of the road.
Now as if that was bad enough, they drive US spec cars! So that means they’re driving on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left side of the car.
It took me only a few minutes after picking up my rental Jeep to get the hang of it, but my honey would constantly drive on the right hand side of the road, until I screamed loud enough to prompt movement to the correct side.
Luckily St Croix is a fairly small and quiet island, and the natives are used to idiot tourists.
By the way, if you ever get a chance to go, it’s great.