About a quarter of the world’s nations drive on the left side of the road, Japan being one of them. But why do they drive on the left side when so many other countries drive on the right?
Why does Japan drive on the left?
Following Japan’s defeat during World War II, the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa came under American rule, which meant that the island was required to drive on the right. In 1978 once the area was returned to Japan, the drivers also returned to the left side of the road.
Is Japan left hand drive or right?
The following is a list of countries of the world whose inhabitants drive on the left- or right-hand side of the road.
List of all left- & right-driving countries around the world.
| Country / state / territory | drive(s) on the | left / right |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | drives on the | left |
| Jersey | drives on the | left |
Did Japan ever drive on the left?
Japan was never part of the British Empire, but its traffic also drives on the left. Although the origin of this habit goes back to the Edo period (16031868), it was not until 1872 that this unwritten rule became more or less official.
Which countries drive on the left side of the road?
The bulk of countries that drive on the left are former British colonies including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Only four countries in Europe still drive on the left and they are all islands. They consist of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
Does Canada drive on the left?
What side of the road does Canada drive on? Like most of the world, Canadians drive on the right-hand side of the road. If this is your first time driving on the right, spend some time getting used to it on smaller side roads.
Why do Australians drive on left?
These two countries later exported their driving styles to their respective colonies, which is why many former British territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left.
Does Japan read right to left?
When written vertically, Japanese text is written from top to bottom, with multiple columns of text progressing from right to left. When written horizontally, text is almost always written left to right, with multiple rows progressing downward, as in standard English text.
What is the world’s most populous country that drives on the left?
India
As for those who drive on the left: The most populous is India, which is set overtake China as the world’s largest from 2028. The largest economy is Japan, the 3rd largest in the world. The largest by area is Australia, which while only the 6th largest, is also a continent.
Why do Americans drive on the right?
Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn’t run into a roadside ditch.Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving.
Did Australia ever drive on the left?
These two countries exported their preferred driving styles across to their respective colonies, which is why today, most of the former British Empire territories such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India still drive on the left.
Do Israelis drive on left?
Israel has a great, modern road network which spans the width and breadth of the country which are signed in English as well as in Hebrew and Arabic making navigation easier for visitors. Israel drives on the right hand side of the road (like most of Europe and the US), and there are GPS and maps available in English.
Did Greece ever drive on the left?
Image via Wikipedia. The keep-left rule was also followed in the other great ancient kingdoms, such as Greece and Egypt. Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans adhered to the left side while marching their troops, as did individual horsemen.
Why does Canada Drive on the right?
British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces switched to the right in the 1920s in order to conform with the rest of Canada and the USA. Newfoundland drove on the left until 1947, and joined Canada in 1949. In Europe, the remaining left-driving countries switched one by one to driving on the right.
Did Australia ever drive on the right?
All measurements in Australia are metric.Australians drive on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles have the steering wheel on their right side. Around 70% of Australian cars are automatic transmission.
Is it safer to drive on the left or right?
It has been noticed that countries that drive on the left side of the road have considerably fewer traffic accidents and fatalities than those that drive on the right side of the road. A study performed in 1969 by J.J.
Why did Sweden drive on the left?
Sweden initiated the driving change in part because its neighbors already drove on the right side of the road. Many members of the Swedish parliament also argued that the left-hand vehicles Swedes drove had caused too many head-on collisions.
Which countries do not drive on the left?
Some of the other major countries not previously mentioned which drive on the left are the Bahamas, Bangladesh, the Cook Islands, the Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zimbabwe.
Does New Zealand drive on the right?
we drive on the left-hand side of the road. it’s easy to underestimate travelling times. our roads are narrower, more winding and sometimes steeper than you might expect. our roads are mostly two-way, with one lane in each direction – we have few motorways.
Why Thailand drives on the left?
The reason why Thailand drives on the left side of the road is that the first car in Thailand was a gift from the Royal Family of England to the King of Thailand back in the 1900s. Since the United Kingdom drives on the left side of the road, the car given was made for left-hand driving.
Are French cars left hand drive?
The French drive on the right side of the road, like most European countries. If you’re hiring a car and haven’t driven on the right before you will have to get used to the steering wheel being on the left-hand side of the vehicle. Start out driving defensively until you get used to it.
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