Why Does The UK Drive on the Left?
When the large majority of the world drive on the right in left hand drive cars, the UK seems somewhat alone and stuck in its ways. In a modern world, it would make a lot more sense if we all agreed on what side to drive on. It would make international travel easier; save manufacturers money and resources as they wouldn't have to build two types of cars. But how would we decide who is right and who is wrong? Who would have to completely redesign their road networks? Let's face it, it would probably spark a world war. In fact, the UK are not as alone as you might think. Australia, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Mozambique are just a few other countries that also drive on the left. In Europe, only 4 countries, including the UK, drive on the left: UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
But why do the UK drive on the left?
History
According to the National Motor Museum, the answer is not actually as clear as one would hope. An article they published states that it may well date back to pre-history... that is a very long time ago. Interestingly, it is theorised that driving on the left may have been one of the earliest, if not the first, road safety measures introduced. Unlike today where road safety measures are introduced to protect us from accidents, driving on the left may have been introduced as a safety measure against muggings. Getting mugged and robbed of your belongings was common long before modern cars with central locking. Back then, a traveller would drive pass someone walking on the road, passing them on the left to enable him to keep his sword drawn in his sword hand. This would discourage any would-be robber from having a go.
Becoming the law
The amount of traffic on the roads on Britain had started to increase significantly during the 18th and 19th centuries. Horse and cart was the mode of transport available and things were getting pretty congested. Without the means of introducing ULEZ and congestion charge zones, the requirement to keep on the left was written into law. It was gradual process and did not cover all of the UK at first.
In 1756, it became the law to keep on the left on London Bridge.
In 1772 it was a legal requirement in towns in Scotland.
Finally, in 1835, it became law of all roads in Great Britain and Ireland.
Today it is legislated by the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code. Section 42 RTA 1988 refers to Highway Code, which subsequently sets out the rules for driving, including the requirement to drive on the left. Weirdly, it does not specifically state that one must drive on the left, but it does details that breaching the Highway Code rules can result in prosecution. Hence why when someone drives on the wrong side, they are prosecuted for careless and/or dangerous driving, and not a specific offence for driving on the right.
The British Empire
As to why other countries drive on the right, the answer is as you would expect: The British Empire and wars. Condensing hundreds of years of quite lengthy history into a few sentences, most of the British Empire adopted driving on the left.
In Europe, the Pope of the time instructed pilgrims, or poor people, to keep to the left of the road. Aristocrats kept to the right. In those days, the fast lane was the 'rich' lane. Driving on the right spread throughout Europe following the French Revolution and as Napoleon spread across Europe. He instructed his armies to drive on the right to avoid congestion. In the US, the War of Independence played a role in our American cousins driving on the right too.
There you have it. That is a short version of why we drive on the left and many other countries drive on the right. We could go on, but this isn't a history lesson! Stay safe, keep left, and happy driving!
