In most countries today, drivers drive on the left side of the road; in others, on the right side. The UK and other countries in Europe still follow left-hand traffic mainly due to ancient custom. There are also many countries that used to follow left-hand traffic but have converted to right-hand traffic, with Samoa the latest country that followed suit.
Facts About Driving On The Left And Right Side Of The Road
Below are some facts worth knowing about driving on the left and right of the road:
• All early automobiles in the USA, which were driven on the right-hand side of the road, were right-hand-drives. They followed the practice established by horse-drawn buggies. In the early 1900s, they changed to left-hand-drive since it was decided that it was more practical to have the driver seated near the centreline of the road to judge the space available when passing oncoming cars. This was also done to enable front-seat passengers to get out of the car easily onto the pavement instead of into the middle of the street.
• Today, the driver always sits on the side of the car that is nearest to the centre line. However, there are a few exceptions to this, especially with certain kinds of specialised service vehicles. For instance, street-sweeping vehicles usually have the reverse driving position to place the driver next to the gutter. Italian-built trolley buses were right-hand-drive for numerous years so that drivers can observe the passenger doors better.
• Left-hand drive cars usually have headlights that are aimed slightly to the right when not on full beam, and vice-versa with cars that are driven on the left. In Europe, it is common for travellers from England to affix deflectors to their headlights to prevent them from dazzling oncoming drivers when they are driving on the “wrong” side of the road.
Info source: www.ts-export.com
Facts About Driving On The Left And Right Side Of The Road
Below are some facts worth knowing about driving on the left and right of the road:
• All early automobiles in the USA, which were driven on the right-hand side of the road, were right-hand-drives. They followed the practice established by horse-drawn buggies. In the early 1900s, they changed to left-hand-drive since it was decided that it was more practical to have the driver seated near the centreline of the road to judge the space available when passing oncoming cars. This was also done to enable front-seat passengers to get out of the car easily onto the pavement instead of into the middle of the street.
• Today, the driver always sits on the side of the car that is nearest to the centre line. However, there are a few exceptions to this, especially with certain kinds of specialised service vehicles. For instance, street-sweeping vehicles usually have the reverse driving position to place the driver next to the gutter. Italian-built trolley buses were right-hand-drive for numerous years so that drivers can observe the passenger doors better.
• Left-hand drive cars usually have headlights that are aimed slightly to the right when not on full beam, and vice-versa with cars that are driven on the left. In Europe, it is common for travellers from England to affix deflectors to their headlights to prevent them from dazzling oncoming drivers when they are driving on the “wrong” side of the road.
Info source: www.ts-export.com
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