Why does England drive on the left side of the road, while America drives on the right?

Hamlet.

Napoleon made the switch in France, which eventually led to the US... Sep 07 03, 3:04 PM

Siskin

It goes way back in time when we drove on the left because it left the sword arm free if we were attacked by highwaymen or other assorted brigands! Sep 07 03, 5:17 PM

MaggieG 5

Like spiral staircases rotating anticlockwise... Sep 07 03, 5:24 PM

sequoianoir

Spiral staircases rotate in both/either direction depending on whether you are going up or coming down. (but I know what you mean Maggie) Re driving on the left. I understand it was down to the Romans. Driving a chariot on the left side of the road kept the "whip hand" (most were righthanded as we are today) and hence the whip away from "pedestrians" walking at the side. Napolean, to show "his power" changed this wherever he went. Although he forced most of Europe to do this, he never got as far as Britain and so we continued with the Roman tradition of driving on the left. Sep 07 03, 8:37 PM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

Why do people drive on opposite sides of the road in England and the U.S.? How did it start that some countries drive on the left side, while the United States drives on the right? Why do we drive on the left hand side in Britain and in America they drive on the right? Why do the English people drive on the left side of the road and why are the steering wheels in their cars on the right side of the car?

1 Crossing the Road to the "Far Side" I'm going to describe a comic strip, and you just tell me which answer fits the best. Newspaper Comics Tough 10 Q youngjewdork04 Oct 03 02 720 plays 2 Look Right: Are You Ready To Drive In Britain? If you're from the "right driving" world, relive the bewilderment, the aggravation and the sheer terror of your first taste of driving in Britain. If you are a native of the UK, indulge in a chuckle or two at the expense of a hapless tourist. U.K. Law Average 10 Q uglybird Sep 05 04 1320 plays 3 Road to Absolutism in England: I This is the first part of the quiz about the last years of the Wars of Roses. Check your knowledge of the subject, and enjoy! UK History Tough 10 Q Kserkso Sep 09 08 327 plays