Which Side of the Road Do You Drive On?

Which side of the road do you drive on?

Which side of the road you drive on depends entirely on the country you are in, as there is no single global rule. Broadly, about two-thirds of the world's countries, and the majority of its population, drive on the right-hand side of the road, including the United States, Canada, most of continental Europe, China, and most of South America. The remaining roughly one-third drive on the left-hand side. In right-driving countries the driver sits on the left side of the car, and in left-driving countries the driver sits on the right. Because it varies so much, and driving on the unfamiliar side can be hazardous, always confirm which side your destination uses before you get behind the wheel abroad.

Which countries drive on the left?

The countries that drive on the left are a distinct minority but include many popular destinations, so they are worth knowing. Among the most visited are the United Kingdom and Ireland, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, India, and much of southern and eastern Africa, along with many island nations and several countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Many of these are former British territories, which is a major reason left-hand driving spread as it did. If you are from a right-driving country like the United States, visiting any of these means adapting to driving on the opposite side, sitting on the right of the car, and shifting your whole sense of the road, so extra caution is essential.

Why do some countries drive on different sides?

The split comes down to history and tradition. In the era of horses and carriages, many people kept to the left so their right hand, the dominant hand for most, was free to greet others or wield a weapon, a custom that carried into road rules in places like Britain. Over time, other influences pushed many countries to the right: practices in France, spread partly through the Napoleonic era, and later the design and popularity of American vehicles encouraged right-hand driving across much of the world. The British Empire, meanwhile, exported left-hand driving to its many territories, which is why so many former British colonies still drive on the left today. The result is the roughly two-thirds right, one-third left division we see now.

How do you drive on the opposite side of the road?

Driving on the unfamiliar side takes concentration, but a few habits help. When renting, choose an automatic car so you are not also managing a gearstick with your other hand, and take a few minutes to orient yourself before setting off. Continually remind yourself which side to keep to, a useful cue is that the driver sits toward the center of the road, so keep your body near the center line. Be especially careful at junctions, roundabouts, when turning, and when pulling out, since instinct can send you to the wrong side, and roundabouts turn the opposite direction from what you know. Ask a passenger to help watch, avoid distractions, drive slowly and defensively at first, and be extra cautious when tired. With focus, most drivers adapt within a day or two.