India Drives On The Left But US Drives On The Right: Why?

Have you ever noticed that people in some countries drive on the left side of the road, while those in others drive on the right? This difference comes from historical, cultural, and even scientific reasons.

Left-Hand Driving and Horse Carriages

Long ago, when people traveled by horse or carriage, they often stayed on the left side of the road. Since most people are right-handed, it was easier for them to hold weapons in their right hand for defense while traveling. This custom continued even after cars were invented in the late 19th century. As cars became faster and more common, some countries started driving on the right side of the road, especially those that gained independence from British rule. The British, however, still drive on the left today.

Countries That Still Drive on the Left

Countries like Ireland, Malta, and India, which were once under British rule, still drive on the left. This is due to long-standing traditions, the cost and difficulty of changing to driving on the right, and the challenge of training many drivers to switch sides.

Why Some Countries Drive on the Right

Several reasons explain why countries drive on different sides. For example, France started driving on the right side in 1792 during the French Revolution. Sweden switched to the right in 1967 to increase road safety and because many cars were being imported from countries that drove on the right. In other places, changes in driving sides were influenced by things like colonial history, trade, and military alliances. US had the famous horse wagon – Conestoga Wagon – where the driver was on the left and managed the horses with his right hand. When Ford designed his Model T, he put the driver on the left. All of this over time led to adoption of right-lane driving as the default in the US.

Is Driving on the Right Safer?

Some people think driving on the right is safer because most people are right-handed, which might make it easier to control the car. Driving on the right also might help drivers see oncoming traffic better, reducing the risk of accidents. Studies by the World Health Organization and other groups suggest that countries driving on the right have fewer road accidents. However, it’s not clear that driving on one side is definitely safer than the other. Road safety depends on many factors like road quality, traffic rules, and how people drive.

In Conclusion Whether countries drive on the left or the right mostly comes from historical reasons, including early travel habits and the influence of past rulers. The question of which side is safer continues to be debated.