Is car traffic in Russia left-hand or right-hand? The answer to this question is quite simple. But what about other states? How do people drive on the roads of Africa, Britain or distant Australia?
Geography of the phenomenon: countries with left-hand traffic
The origin of this or that geographical phenomenon (casus) can be explained on the basis of historical features, features of the national mentality, or random factors. So, all countries of the world are divided into two groups: states in which they drive on the right side, and those in which it is customary Left side traffic. The former are much more numerous, since right-handers predominate among the world's population. For such people, right-hand traffic is much more natural. But far from all countries and peoples went "with the flow", adopting left-hand traffic.
In what countries of the world is it common? Vehicles drive on the left side in 47 states of our planet (or about 34% of the world's population). These countries are mainly concentrated in Oceania, South-East Asia and South Africa.
The most famous example of a state where left-hand traffic is accepted is Great Britain. In this country, it was officially legalized as early as 1756. Other notable examples are Australia, India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, South Africa. Most of these states are in Asia (17). In Europe, only three countries drive on the left side of the road: the UK, neighboring Ireland, and Malta.
All countries that drive on the left are marked in green on the map below.
Why is that? Hypotheses of the emergence of left-hand traffic
Left-hand traffic originated in Britain. There are two main versions of why the British decided to drive on the left side:
- marine;
- knightly.
Everyone knows that Britain is a maritime power. Traditions and rules open ocean very firmly entered the everyday life of the British. According to the old rules, British ships had to bypass each other exclusively on the left. It is assumed that later this rule migrated to land.
The second hypothesis can be considered rather legendary. The knights of medieval England preferred to ride on the left side of the road: it was supposedly more convenient for them to greet other riders passing by, or to meet the enemy with weapons in hand.
In the XVIII-XIX centuries, the tradition of left-hand traffic also spread to other countries of the world. Almost all of them were somehow connected with Britain: they were its colonies (like Australia), or were friends with it (like Japan, for example).
States that changed the movement
There are many examples when countries have changed their traffic patterns. It happened by different reasons: political, geographical or quite pragmatic.
The most iconic example of the transition to the opposite traffic system in Europe can be considered Sweden, which decided to take this step in 1967. This day (September 3) entered the history of the state under the name H-Day. The reason was purely geographical: all countries neighboring Sweden were right-handed, which created a lot of problems when crossing the border. By the way, on the borders of countries with different directions special and impressive interchanges are being built on the roads. Such exist between Thailand and Laos, Brazil and Guyana, China and Hong Kong.
Some states switched to another traffic pattern solely on the principle of "annoying yesterday's occupiers." This is what Korea did in 1946, liberated from Japanese occupation. So did the United States in 1776, declaring its independence from Britain.
There are examples in the world when countries switched from right-hand traffic to left-hand traffic. This is the island nation of Samoa. The reason for this move is quite pragmatic: the country was oversaturated with used cars from Australia, in which the steering wheel was on the right side. The decision to switch to left-hand traffic in Samoa was made in 2009.
As for Russia, right-hand traffic was originally rooted here. True, on Far East Most cars have the steering wheel on the right side. The thing is that there are a lot of used cars here that came from Japan (where, as you know, the left-hand traffic scheme is adopted).
Finally
Researchers still cannot unequivocally answer the question of how left-hand traffic arose.
In what countries of the world is it common? Everything is simple here. First of all, this is the UK, as well as 46 other states. Almost all of them, to a greater or lesser extent, were associated with former empire historically, and therefore brought this unusual "habit" into their lives.
Which countries in the world have left-hand traffic on the roads?
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bermuda
Butane
Botswana
Brunei
coconut 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
Great Britain
British Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe
P.S. In the fact that there is a left-hand traffic, we can be grateful to the UK. England is located on the islands, and sea route once was the only way communication of its inhabitants with inhabitants of other countries. There was always a huge congestion of ships in ports, and they often collided. To restore order, the maritime department issued a decree, the essence of which was the rule "keep to the left."
That is, the ships had to pass oncoming ships on the right. Gradually, this principle began to be guided by the land 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 have changed the movement:
AT different time 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 H-Day in Sweden, when the country switched from driving on the left to driving on the right.
Also, the former British colonies in Africa, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana, were changed from right-hand drive to left-hand drive due to the proximity to the countries of the former French colonies that have right-hand traffic. Conversely, the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique has changed the left-hand drive to the right, because of the proximity to the former British colonies. North Korea and South Korea changed from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic in 1946, after the end of the Japanese occupation.
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 population the globe moves on the right side of the road, while 72% of all roads have a right-hand traffic pattern, 28%, respectively, have a left-hand traffic pattern. Interestingly, in modern world The evolution of traffic rules 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 a large number used cars with right hand drive. 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-handed people to drive right hand, whipping was safer when driving on the right side of the road. Yes, and the peasants always clung to the left of a rushing carriage or a man on a horse, so that it would be more difficult 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. AT 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 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 are the historical facts that told us interesting story about the origins of different traffic on the roads of the world.
Even before the invention of the automobile, man noticed that compliance with the general agreement to drive on one side of the road helps to reduce collisions. Vehicle 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 preferred to drive on the left. 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-hand driving to right-hand 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 all cars in the same way (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 - from right-hand traffic, yellow - with left-sided
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. Left side traffic on highways followed by residents of 53 countries. 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.
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Rules traffic emerged a very long time ago. 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.
Also in old 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.
AT modern times For most countries, driving on the right is more acceptable. 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 Western Europe, which officially adopted left-hand traffic and 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.
AT North America some countries use left hand drive Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda. Concerning Asian countries, then the list is significant: Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Cyprus, Macau, 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.
