Why do some countries drive on the left?
It is interesting that in ancient times the situation was the opposite: mostly it was observed left-hand traffic. It is known that the left-hand traffic was used throughout the territory of the Roman Empire, which found a lot of evidence, ranging from ancient Roman images, ending with the research of the ancient Roman roads. This can be explained by the fact that most people are right – handed, and therefore, having caught up with a stranger on the road, in case of danger, it was more convenient to grab a weapon with your right hand and immediately be ready for a clash. Probably, other citizens of the Empire soon picked up this rule, adopted for the movement of Roman troops. Imitating the Romans, left-hand traffic was used in most ancient States.
Modern division of the world into left-hand traffic (blue) and right-hand traffic.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, some General rules governing the movement in the vast territory, ceased to exist, so the physiological features of man came to the fore: the driver, most of whom were right-handed, it was more convenient to go on the right side, so that on narrow roads at the junction with oncoming traffic more confident to drive horses with a strong hand, directing them sideways. Over the centuries, this habit has been established as a norm of social movement in many countries.
In 1776, the first traffic regulations were issued in Europe. The country that adopted it was Britain, which established on its territory... left-hand traffic. Historians still argue what exactly was the reason for this decision. Perhaps this was done in order to "separate" from the rest of the right-hand Europe, with the leading countries of which Britain was in confrontation. Or perhaps the officials simply adopted the law from the army Admiralty, which ordered the oncoming ships of the English crown to disperse the right sides.
The introduction of left-hand traffic in a small by geographical measures metropolis influenced the vast territory of the colonies of the British Empire, as well as allied countries. First, these are the territories of present-day India, Australia and Pakistan, where left-hand traffic is still used by analogy with Britain.
September 3, 1962 - Sweden's transition to right-hand traffic. On that day in the streets of Swedish cities, there was a terrible confusion.
On the other side was France with its allies, who began to use the right-hand traffic. In many European countries, law established it in the time of Napoleon. As usual, the colonies of European States followed their center, which divided the world into two camps, echoes of which we see to this day.