subject: The Wrong Side Road Cars: Left Drive Cars [print this page] Many of us would surely love it if the rules of the road were the same no matter what country to visit. This would also help us from being totally confused when it comes to visiting countries that use left drive cars, specifically if we are accustomed to the right hand cars! But lets face the reality: there are many countries that use the opposite rules and side if the road and hence, if we want to visit the country, we ought to get accustomed to these as well.
It might surprise you to know how all of this cropped up! Years ago, archeologists in England made an amazing discovery. They visited the path that was specifically meant for the travel by horses and on a careful study of the path, they found that it was evident enough that the riders of these horses would normally ten to travel on the left side of the path and also that these riders would steer the horses using their left hands!
The history continues
The tradition of thus both, the horses and the vehicles driving to the left has remained since then and during the 1700s a law was passes to secure this driving preference. It was the law of Highway Act of 1773 which stated that all the traffic is to be kept on the left while driving on the roads. So, it is here that it all began. Interesting, the United States had also shared this traffic direction preference but then switched to using the right hand traffic side. This is sole reason that you would have to get used to a left hand drive in European countries and maintain the right hand side while in the U.S and other countries.
There are many places around the globe that prefer to use the left hand drive cars yet preferring to use the right-hand side traffic; on the other hand there are countries that use the left hand side traffic with the use of left hand cars only. It is interesting to note that there are yet some countries that allow its citizens to choose the type of vehicle they would prefer to drive, either a left hand drive car or the right hand drive cars. If you look at United Kingdom, though the prevalent rules prefer the left hand drive cars, many still prefer to use the right hand drive cars using their discretion to choose they type of vehicle from a range of European import vehicles!
Countries and their preferences
Then, there are many other counties which have completely banned the use of any automobiles within the country that have the wrong side steering wheels. This is solely to avoid the confusion that would be created in the normal traffic flow.
In spite of the variety of options available and several rules of various countries, the LHD drive cars still remain in demand and a popular choice of a majority of individuals around the world today, including me! A number of automobile manufacturers indulge in making both left and right hand drive cars whilst keeping their priority of the left drive cars!
