Why some people drive on the right, and some on the left | Did You Know?

“Why are you driving on the wrong side of the road?”
Watch more from the Did You Know? series ►► • Did You Know?
About two-thirds of countries drive on the right side. So why don’t countries that drive on the left just switch over? Left-hand side traffic was actually the worldwide norm for a long time, and the split boils down to two main factors - the fact that most people are right-handed, and the fact that countries used different forms of transportation as formalised road rules began to emerge. The invention of cars and the placement of steering wheels influenced countries to switch over to the right - as recently as 1967 for Sweden.
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#DidYouKnow

[@sauravdas6136]

US: We drive on the right side of the road. UK: We drive on the left side of the road. India: We drive on what's left of the road!

[@guitarguy7847]

Yes 😂

[@le.genius11]

Russia: Road is road! Drive anywhere you want! Road same road!

[@andrewerbold8005]

China: We drive on what's right of the road!

[@idagonchannel5681]

Indonesia: WE DRIVE WHATEVER AND WHEREVER WE CAN CROSS!

[@kirilvelinov7774]

China:We don't drive on sundays...

[@nine2380]

Well in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. We called it: *Make your own lane*

[@readmore8740]

There's a well in Bangladesh???

[@parka0m485]

In Vietnam then motorcycles go on either sides and cars don't exist

[@user-vv6eb8ul2v]

Man the roads were bumpy in bangladesh

[@hasaniftekhar4748]

I think probably because mostly in my experience in Bangladesh they wanna be some where extremely quick and if you wanna like check your phone for 3 seconds about 4 cars will be in front of you

[@HomerSimpson-iv3ly]

Nine and Nepal

[@jackfrost2146]

In Australia we drive on the left because when you drive on the right, you collide head-on with traffic coming the other way.

[@briansimmy123]

Brilliant dry Oz humour, Haven't laughed this hard for months!

[@IAMATTHETOP]

That's actually nice one 👍

[@defencebangladesh4068]

lol

[@boumbh]

Actually you all drive on the right, but since you’re all upside down, you think it’s left.

[@shivendrasingh2862]

Wouldn’t the other traffic switch to right too🤣

[@TNTsundar]

In India every person has their own way of driving. Talk about democracy.

[@avibrarbrar]

☝️😂😂😂

[@Mike-bt3ki]

I think that is anarchy you mean not democracy, there is no road law Lol

[@davel7037]

I see you're bringing politics in here

[@campkira]

the reason why i don't go or drive near there... my insurance can not take it..

[@anshagrawal6289]

@@Mike-bt3ki you get fined for driving on wrong side in India

[@chandrabhankhakre6568]

In India,we drive everywhere even on footpaths sometimes

[@dev-ok1li]

Salman Khan trolled epic gamer style😂

[@dhruboroy9784]

Your name is literal diarrhea....🤢

[@orekiokazaki8133]

Sahi bola

[@theleader1150]

Sallu Bhai!

[@ultimatestoryteller]

*a certain bollywood actor wants to know your location*

[@harshdeepdwivedi9731]

In India it depends upon where the person in front is coming form.

[@kuldeeppandya6852]

lol

[@crackhead8670]

😂😂😂😂

[@micheni734]

😂😂😂😂

[@culturedvulture2015]

OMG As an Indian this is so relatable.

[@pradeepchannagiri]

Lol

[@macman975]

I went to India for a month and hired a car for the entire time i was there and i still couldn't tell you what side of the road they drive on🤔😆

[@janverboven]

@rajini talaivar On point Rajini - In India it's a mess - I was only in a taxi - but what I saw was not good.

[@SurajInd89]

Only 2% of Indian population has a car. Think of the chaos on roads if the entire population owns a car. 🤣

[@Ksgggg]

You must have visited only villages or small towns then....

[@macman975]

@@Ksgggg It was an exaggeration mate to show how bad the traffic is. Of course i know what side you're meant to drive on!.

[@VarunKumar-ro4ll]

ROAD IS ROAD.

[@user-xk8rb7nn8p]

"In the UK, we drive on the right side. In the US, they drive on the wrong side" 99% of British people

[@themajesticbulldog3832]

@Fmono • 38 years ago • Updated actually left is correct right is wrong and that's a fact not an opinion

[@themajesticbulldog3832]

@@dazacman40 exactly also majority of countries used to drive on the left including all of Europe so therefore we drive on the correct side Americans just have to face the facts I'm afraid

[@themajesticbulldog3832]

@Fmono • 38 years ago • Updated right is wrong Left is correct look it up

[@themajesticbulldog3832]

@Fmono • 38 years ago • Updated no because theyre not intelligent you clearly dont know your history the majority of countries drove on the left because it was the most sensible side to drive on and still is

[@themajesticbulldog3832]

@Fmono • 38 years ago • Updated so the countries that drive on the left are the most intelligent ones because they know more history than ones that drive on the right

[@apatheticAnxiety]

0:51 driving on the left now means you can flip off oncoming traffic with your dominant hand when they pass by.

[@jerrygregor1976]

. . . unless you're British and left-handed!

[@Pippinn13]

Jerry Gregor I always wondered why left handed drivers are so much more polite

[@jerrygregor1976]

@@Pippinn13 Even us hot-headed ginger ones!

[@dislikebot]

apatheticAnxiety *cough cough* bmw drivers *cough*

[@Mexxx65]

apatheticAnxiety ... somewhat prophetic your comment is so...pathetic ... and ill thought out ..............

[@Janaale]

In Somalia 99% of the cars have their steering wheel on the right, and yet we drive on the right. Welcome to 30 years of no central government.

[@Janaale]

@A A sorry just saw this. We import Japanese second hand cars via Dubai.

[@Janaale]

@A A I don't think Somalia will switch. Just last year the President announced that they're going to ban importing RHD cars. But so far nothing has been done.

[@monkeydui7241]

Feel like that would be dangerous when passing on a 2 lane road

[@monkeydui7241]

@33kaus holokaust Sounds like Mad Max

[@Dan-uy1dh]

@A A The country is a British colony.

[@nomeruim1957]

Actually nevermind, in gta we drive on both sides

[@thatoneintrovert9618]

To be fair every country drives on both sides :)

[@arjunsavanur7242]

HenKi03 Same in south east and South Asia. 😂😂😂😂

[@Jhay_07]

Also GTA: Road is Road.

[@Innocennto]

Officially it's the U.S. way right but GTA is a crime simulator so there's no laws or death there

[@RoboCario]

I mainly drive on the left vos i keep forgetting its supposed yo be on the right XD

[@dienauto4087]

Dear indians I love your culture, food and I worked with a lot of indians. But one thing I'm sure, the day I will visit India, I won't drive 😄😄.

[@dranzergigs8333]

Good decision. It's not a road it's a war zone!

[@kakalimukherjee3297]

You better not🤣

[@sak2407]

If it’s a short visit then don’t even think about driving on your own. If you’re gonna stay longer then give it a try. I’ve seen a few expats who drive here.

[@sumraatkarna]

not everyone can drive in formula billion circuit!!😵😵😵

[@mal_752]

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 Fabulous

[@smidge-J]

I'm from New Zealand, and I like to tell international friends this. If you're driving on the left side of the road, you're driving on the right side of the road, but if you're driving on the right side of the road, you're driving on the wrong side of the road.

[@mario3082]

If the steering wheel is on the right, it's on the right side

[@eezhan2579]

it took me a while to understand that lol wait this is a joke right

[@alyden567]

@@eezhan2579 If I go to US... It will take me awhile to drive because I've been driving New Zealand for a long while now

[@gort1319]

so basically if i drive on the Left side im driving on the right side. so i drive on the right side wich is wrong. so basically every side is wrong. i hate when languages do this.

[@emmanuel1687]

People driving on the right side are driving on the right side of the ride, in the contrary. Left side drivers are riding on the wrong side.

[@MrJewripper]

Who is this presenter and why is she so relaxing to listen to? She's awesome

[@weansardman]

Mellow relaxing you’re tone deaf like her.

[@sharnistevens1428]

Odd, you find her relaxing while I find her irritating. To each their own.

[@MrJewripper]

@@sharnistevens1428 yup to each their own

[@SivalinPuthery]

Stop putting Asians on ABC. They are spies. Get a white on.

[@n5017858]

Cheng明耀 是吧

[@MrDavidh4]

Interesting fact: In 1982, during Argentina's occupation of the Falkland Islands, the residents living there were forced to drive on the right side of the road, (that is, until the British re-captured the islands on June 14th of that year).

[@trooperthatsall5250]

Thats not true, most of the Falklanders were rounded up and locked in the church and council offices - anyone driving around were the Occupying forces. Anyone moving around were stopped and held, often brutalised and beaten. Now ask me how I know thats hearsay - I was there. ~Trooper

[@bart71298]

@@trooperthatsall5250 so it is not true the Occupying forces painted white arrows on the road indicating the new keep right rule?

[@trooperthatsall5250]

@@bart71298 I never saw any painted arrows - I did see removed or flattened road signs - Remember my friend that most of the occupying forces were digging in and fortifying their positions - and lots of antipersonnel mine fields - the odd dead livestock. It was windy and very cold. ~ Trooper

[@janverboven]

It's been a while, and the Argentinian Junta got a bloody nose - for FALSELY distracting their people to go in to war, were lots of Argentinian and British soldiers were killed in battle or maimed for life, to hide the fact of the 'disappeared' on the mainland. Introducing driving on the right side during their 'short' stay was never a success with the Islanders.

[@loganfox2386]

Driving on the left is the original way to do it. The Romans, renowned for their roads, drove on the left. You want to say they were doing it wrong?

[@sidbid1590]

Yeah, because taking advice from a civilization that fell centuries ago is the best way to navigate the modern world.

[@wilson8920]

@@sidbid1590 but that's also what you're doing with right side driving, you're taking 'advice' from France and the US hundreds of years ago.

[@duckmeat4674]

@@sidbid1590 Should we stop taking advice about things like basic math system from india/middle east too?

[@JaiMahadevv27]

“Gave the world roads” Roman Empire was tiny m8

[@jen_sen8508]

SandboxArrow right handed is poo handed

[@Trolligarch]

Tysm. I always wondered why some countries drive on the left side of the road and the others drive on the wrong side of the road.

[@simpleasliam657]

Prefer the way we drive... just makes sense ...I'm right handed so holding the steering wheel with a steady hand while I switch gears is much easier than how America and Europe do things... imo

[@alfrredd]

I've always wondered why people drive on the right side of the road and others drive on the wrong side of the road, luckily they're only a few island countries...

[@motorheadbeany1903]

@@alfrredd India must be a huge island then lol. Lots of countries have switched to the right lane. Belize, Sweden, Argentina etc etc. Australia will be forced to one day. But it can take a while. Just look at the USA adopting the metric system...

[@alfrredd]

@@motorheadbeany1903 yeah I know, India and some African countries are the exception because of good ol' england and imperialism.

[@markfryer9880]

Not that good old USA would ever be imperial in its behaviour,no never. Can you smell the sarcasm?

[@mr_sowong9464]

This is why i ride motorcycle. Left or right, our controls are still the same.

[@bigowillythomaskayanda7763]

Hahahahahahas,, sure

[@RobertAmer]

The controls on a left and right side of the road car are the same. All that is different is the seat position. Perhaps the only difference maybe in indicator and light switches, which may be reversed around.

[@adeadgirl13]

@@RobertAmer Left drive car would bring the gear shifter on your right hand and a right drive car would bring it on your left hand. On a bike it remains same.

[@RobertAmer]

@@adeadgirl13 location is still the same, only a seat change

[@adeadgirl13]

@@RobertAmer No the gear shift lever changes sides. It's always in the middle. So it's either on your right hand side or your left hand side. And that makes a difference. If you are used to shifting with your left hand it can be uncomfortable to shift with your right hand.

[@MrDhandley]

I’m Australian and I would prefer to drive on the right. The main reason is as cars become more like a computer, being right handed means that sitting on the left makes for easier operation.

[@cozduntow9346]

FYI Japan drives on the left not due to British influence, but rather because Japanese people carried their swords on their left, as it was easier to unsheathe as many were right handed. This comes into play as the swords could hit each other walking on the left, possibly starting a fight. Thus is the reason why it was custom to walk on the left, and this has never changed.

[@davidcoldstar6333]

You’re completely right Japan’s traffic system has nothing to do with UK During isolation period, Japan already adopted left-hand traffic nationwide due to Samurai culture.

[@beerborn]

The problem in Japan is that they no longer carry a sword. So why not switch to the right. Gen. Douglas MacArthur would have made this change when he took over as governor in Japan after WW II.

[@cozduntow9346]

@@beerborn Because it is a way of life ingrained within everyone who lives there, and considering everything in Japan is unsurprisingly made for everything to go on the left. Douglas MacArthur had plans to do so, but not all of his ideas have been great to start with, but I digress. Okinawa was formerly on the right due to American occupation post WW2 switched back to left hand side. There is no incentive for us to change as it there is no benefit from changing to begin with, and doing so would be costly, pointless and cause major havoc, as demonstrated by when Okinawa switched back. The videos are quite interesting if you look them up.

[@zapp3222]

Welp youre watching an entitled australian(obviously asian) video.

[@swaythegod5812]

Also Britain put in there railway line But yes it’s also why Britain is on left if you are about to get attacked by bandits you need to draw your sword

[@AnimeLover910830]

I’m from malaysia (left hand driving country) but went to korea (right hand driving country) few days ago and i was shocked at how quickly i can get used to right hand driving and i like it even better than the normal way i usually drive

[@wheatmilk6707]

I’ll drive on the right side of the road once America switch’s to metric

[@KanyeTheGayFish69]

Wheat Milk if you live in a left driving country driving on the right is not recommended

[@barryirlandi4217]

Well said mate... I think they are alone on that stupid system

[@yourfirsthouseinminecraft4531]

@@barryirlandi4217 I agree that it is stupid but it's the only system we grew up on so converting is difficult. If we truly want to convert we need to teach kids the metric system before they learn the standard system that we have right now.

[@3506Dodge]

That won't ever happen.

[@newyork6480]

Well, keep driving on the left side cause that’s not gonna happen kiddo

[@harampug9150]

America : Foot, Inches, LHD, Litres, Mph World : America definitely drunk

[@grammarnazi8930]

We use Metric. Just the majority use Imperial.

[@paganphil100]

harampug: Maybe that's because American gallons / pints are bigger than everyone else's :-)

[@mackenziegoodwin459]

American here! We don't even do litres (liters?), we do Pints & Gallons. Teachers told us that we needed to learn metric "because the US will be switching over very soon!" Funny thing is, they said that to my parents when they were in school, too! 😂

[@pikachu8508]

In UK: RHD, Miles, Mph , UK Mpg, Petrol sold in Litre UK: We are so drunk that we use imperial and Metric at the same time

[@irrelevance3859]

@@mackenziegoodwin459 they did switch but didn't make it mandatory so it was very pointless

[@davidmdyer838]

The US is not 100% on the right. The US Virgin Islands drive on the left even though they have steering wheels on the left.

[@piknick111]

lol, the USVI is pretty much dirt roads and small lanes. . .

[@davidmdyer838]

@@piknick111 Indeed it is, but I found it strange that they drove on the left since the cars aren't really correct for it.

[@Frin4901]

@@davidmdyer838 US "Virgin" island

[@davidmdyer838]

@@Frin4901 What's your point? And to pik nick, it's mostly small lanes, but you want to be looking the correct direction before you walk across them.

[@Frin4901]

@@davidmdyer838 so people that live in the virgin island are virgin (jk)

[@OG-Jakey]

As a right handed person having the wheel in my right and the stick in my left makes the most sense to me.

[@MrCmon113]

Both hands should be on the wheel.

[@dragondov]

@@MrCmon113 Well you kind of have to change gears...

[@moizahmed7392]

Couldn't agree more!!

[@dazacman40]

dragondov Americans don’t understand manual transmissions

[@surajhk31]

Yes most people are right handed.. it's odd to have steering at left side

[@alazarou]

There is a mistake on the map used. Cyprus also drives on the left and it was marked as right :)

[@carultch]

Does all of Cyprus drive on the left, including Northern Cyprus?

[@alazarou]

@@carultch No one cares about them.

[@EpicB]

@@carultch The entire island of Cyprus drives on the left.

[@stevemcelmy9354]

and Malta

[@grassytramtracks]

@@stevemcelmy9354 Malta's probably too small to show up anyway tho

[@gatlinweidler2218]

UK comments: "our side of the road is best side of the road" US comments: "our side of the road is best side of the road" Me, a person who has a US and JP license: Lol, neither side bothers me. Neither side is best side.

[@AdityaKashi]

I have both US and Indian licenses, and now both sides sometimes bother me.

[@APXSTUDIO]

People in India makes their own lane

[@bear2507]

There is literally no comments saying the US has best side of the road. It’s only Brits that think their crap don’t stink.

[@scottythedawg]

@@bear2507 this from someone known for crapping in the woods lol

[@PhD63]

@@bear2507, you mean it doesn’t?

[@SirGregory]

Very few people know the role General MacArthur played in converting the Philippines from driving on the left side of the road to driving on the right. The story goes back to World War 2. In December 1941 Japanese forces landed in the Philippines just days after the attack on Pearl Harbour. By March 1942 they controlled the capital Manila, and the surviving American forces had retreated to the island of Corregidor in the mouth of Manila Bay. In a daring plan General MacArthur escaped and was taken to Australia. There he made the famous speech everyone remembers: “I shall return!” This was in fact a truncated quote of what he really said. My dear departed father clearly remembers him saying: “I shall return, and convert the Philippines to driving on the right side of the road.” In October 1944, with War in the Pacific drawing to a close, MacArthur did indeed return. Not long after wading ashore on a Leyte beach, MacArthur decreed that all US forces would immediately drive on the right side of the road. Filipinos, who until then had driven on the left, soon realised they would live longer if they followed the lead of US troops. MacArthur’s degree was formalised when President Sergio Osmeña signed the change into law on 10 March 1945 as Executive Order No. 34. (Most of this is a true account of the events that took place. I have only embellished a little.)

[@MaggotDiggo1]

These Vox style videos being made by the ABC are great. It's important that the ABC adjusts to the KZbin medium. Keep up the good work.

[@absolutebin4611]

Vox is repugnant.

[@Neojhun]

An old ABC show Hungry Beast from 2009 did a similar style. I have a fealing even VOX staff we insipred by it. No one actualy owns this kind of style, its all evoloution. It actualy reminds me of 50s to 60s technical films. Just sad everyone has forgotten Hungry Beast.

[@absolutebin4611]

I don’t watch info wars. So your argument is immediately flawed. Vox reasonability could be compared to Stalins ration book.

[@dc3282]

@B Jiang "At least the far-left media sounds reasonable, unlike the far-right media". Yep, you sound like a reasonable person yourself.

[@fpfp396]

Absolutely yes MaggotDiggo1. I agreed almost in full and I think if I get your point it's 100% agreement. It's like stay in the prehistoric era and fade away or adjust to the times and put a good foot forward and keep going and growing? Which, is smart and healthy. I could be waaaay off tho in my interpretation of the above. I'd just like to add: KZbin is basically run by a conglomerate. IMO being a sheep and just following is not healthy. Shackled things do no good that way. No? Well, why aren't we still in the caves then

[@simonkevnorris]

I'm from the UK and on the few occasions I've gone to the USA and picked up a hire car it's not taken very long to pick up the idea of driving on the other side of the road. It helps that there are usually other cars on the road at the time. There are occasions when I'm trying to work something out (directions) I see cars on the wrong side of the road and then realize it's me that is on the wrong side. I've driven several of the cars I've had in the UK into Europe (France, Belgium, The Netherlands Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland and have never had any problem (except at toll booths where I have to get out my car to pay the toll).

[@themajesticbulldog3832]

I'm from the UK aswell and I've been to Spain and they drive on the right side of the road and I got used to it pretty quickly tbh

[@TeaAnyone]

Russia: “ROAD IS ROAD!”

[@electr0wizard951]

Same with india

[@janverboven]

If you live in the countryside, I can believe you

[@KRW1612]

I've seen the Russian KZbin videos and they definitely don't care which side of the road they use!

[@hellothere3286]

Says India too...

[@threespotgaming]

If somebody follow rules send him/her to gulag

[@shekhar6267]

India: Drive on left side and no driving on footpaths Salom Bhai: Sweating profusely,.........

[@AjaySharma-le3df]

*selmon Bhai

[@Copycat217]

Bro selmon vai 😂😂😂😂😂

[@moundain4220]

Selmon*

[@yilonmusk1189]

Selmon bhoi*

[@oni_sectionone8646]

@@yilonmusk1189 Taiwan is fictional

[@hebneh]

Regarding Sweden's switch from left to right in 1967: First, this also affected trains and streetcars. They too had to switch sides. Second, for some bizarre reason, all the vehicles already in Sweden at the time of the switch were left-hand drive...the "wrong" side while driving on the left. When the traffic pattern changed, all these vehicles were finally correct!

[@Niinsa62]

I don't think it affected trains, they still today drive on the left-hand side here in Sweden. Comes in handy to know if you are at a small railway station with just two platforms along the main line, and wonder on which platform the train will arrive. Some railway crossings had to be modified, I'm sure, because the cars switched sides, not the trains. Like lights, signs and barriers having to be switched over.

[@Ugo98]

I think most cars in Sweden (I don't know about Volvo and Saab, Swedish brands) were probably left-hand driven because they were imported directly from their country of manufacturing (parallel import), which was very likely to drive on the right. For example, in this video we can see some Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz cars from West Germany

[@n5017858]

Driving on the left is better because your right hand is on the wheel and left on the gear stick. I’m right handed.

[@MaxZomboni]

grolsch sipper Your right hand should be doing the more complicated job of shifting.

[@tayyh89]

Also with more people having the right eye as their master eye, it helps when they are turning to the right, across the opposing traffic.

[@PoloRolo94]

@@MaxZomboni maybe shifting is arguably more complicated than steering, but steering is a more important job than shifting. That's where I would want the most precision to go.

[@eyuzik30]

I couldn't shift with my left. The right hand is better because majority of people are right handed

[@Joshie5674]

Steering is much more of a precise movement than shifting gears (therefore you should shift with your left). Anyone who thinks you need your dominant hand to shift gears shouldn't drive a manual lol...

[@mackwong350]

Well, at least we Malaysians and Australians drive at the same side on the road, that I couldn't help but to thank the British influence for that! :D

[@danieljohnson4994]

At least you came up with one thing me and my british compatriots did right

[@machinegunnasty1124]

@JaSoNjAy 0778 “did right” nice subtle pun there.

[@tomkavanagh1040]

JaSoNjAy 0778 wdym we did loads of great stuff

[@danieljohnson4994]

@@tomkavanagh1040 it's a joke I know we did a lot of good but we also did a lot of bad

[@aidanjanemcintosh6919]

I am an Irish-Indonesian who once lived in Japan for few years. Thanks god those countries use the same rule since driving is my hobby anyway.

[@joesmith6776]

...Mystery Solved... This is the most in-depth analysis in answering this question which had puzzled me for decades. Thank you for all the research and work in putting this together and posting it.

[@doubtingthomas6146]

I find driving on the left preferable. I drive a manual (stick) car, and prefer to control the vehicle with my dominant Right hand, while changing gears with the left.

[@45Ninjat]

After driving a few different heavy machines with the the gear leaver whatever on different sides... you get used to it after a few hours. It's about the same IMO.

[@doubtingthomas6146]

Olagonin Chancer - Australian, actually. I believe method of transmission is a personal preference. I’ve owned automatic cars, and they’re fine. But I prefer manual; you are in far more control of the vehicle. Plus the sensation of actually ‘driving’ is irreplaceable. Driving an automatic just feels like... steering.

[@yournemesis192]

Olagonin Chancer automatics are for teen girls

[@user-fx8oe4bx9z]

@@yournemesis192 You can talk like that until traffic ruins your ego

[@user-fx8oe4bx9z]

@Christopher White Some of us call it tiptronic and no clutch pedal need for it

[@reidmcleod6630]

I’n surprised you didn’t talk about Myanmar. Way back when, the leader (who was of his nutta) at the time literally in the middle of the night decided to switch from driving on the left to the right, but kept cars with left-hand drive, which has made it dangerous especially for buses, to exit vehicles there.

[@leotheangrylion]

Furthermore, until about 2 years ago most of the cars imported came from Japan, so most people drive right-handed cars on the right side of the road, making passing a car in front difficult. Ironically, now that you can only import LH drive cars the price of the existing RH drive cads have gone up, as people prefer to drive the cars they are used to driving.

[@HerryNovri]

Yes, correct. Right steering cars drive on the right.

[@HyperSarcasticAvocado]

The video was made based on the first 3 results from google probably.

[@eddychin2845]

I was driving a Japanese Mitsubishi Pajero Right Hand on the right side of road from Yangon to Bago vice versa for golf game in the year of 2000 without problem but will never indicate double hazard light for going strait on stop sign & high beam on night as the Burmese always did that by then.

[@jameshepburn4631]

I remember it well in Burma. Even years after they switched, which was done under Soviet Union’s influence, I was still driving an older Toyopet (ancestor of the Toyota) with the steering wheel on the right. Problem in Burma was, unlike Sweden, they couldn’t afford to redo most of the signs & lights and created a real mess.

[@NandhagopalMuralithar]

One factor, which I have noticed, and may also be related, is that maritime convention also follows the same left side drive rule - Port/left side means red/stop, starboard/right side means green/go. essentially if two ships came within sighting distance of each other, they could make a decision on right of passage basis which side of the other ship they were seeing. This re-enforced the left side travel rule, since if you see the left side of the other ship, you stop and give them passage of way, just like in left side driving countries.

[@bhv9819]

Cyprus drives on the left as well

[@baylessnow]

Don't forget Malta.

[@ZekeMagnum]

Fun fact. In Sweden , 1955, 83% voted to stay on the left side, but in 1967 the Government parties voted to change anyway.

[@Be-Es---___]

And now everybody is glad they changed back then....

[@MarcusCactus]

High time the US government has the guts to go against the will of the change-resistant majority, and impose the metric system.

[@wyattcheramie004]

@@MarcusCactus Most people are for the metric system. WTF are you talking about.

[@Mickelraven]

This is what the US should do when switching to the metric system. The switch was voluntary when it was first introduced, but now they should make the switch mandatory!

[@janverboven]

Well, they pushed that trough against your will. The last barrier is the Krona - If they take that away you may end up like Greece.

[@koolkiddZA]

South africa we drive in the left Keep left pass right

[@lesego2933]

@@fjellyo3261 its safer to drive on the left because the right eye "dominant eye" keeps alert of oncoming traffic

[@leviackerman5870]

@@fjellyo3261 welllllllll we have the best universities in the world Oxford & Cambridge, so we ain't dumb or stupid.

[@fjellyo3261]

@John D nope I am German. I always thought Brits have a dark humor :).

[@thelatenightgamer2624]

@@fjellyo3261 so it was a joke???

[@dazacman40]

fjellyo32 don’t be jealous your country adopted an inferior way to drive ;)

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

It would be better for the LHD world to switch to RHD but Australia's problem is we still have the Queen, we drive Toyotas, we play cricket and we go to Bali and Thailand for holiday.

[@byronchavarria4954]

Fords BMWS And Tesla’s Not Toyota’s

[@antreasgeorgiou1411]

0:23 in cyprus we also drive on left hand side

[@walterwhite5941]

Bro what think about Turks in north ?

[@kevinross6200]

And you have proper electric plugs and sockets and fire hydrants.

[@loghan93]

Left gang where ur at

[@amazanjauhariamazan7844]

"Left".

[@bepopxxx]

me

[@bara9880]

@Prash Mc left handed I think he means

[@cheru321]

Unless it's Japan, Britain, Ireland, or Australia, you have no purpose being here.

[@kuldeeppandya6852]

Me

[@LivinCreative]

Right is Right or Right is Wrong?? I'm confused. I'm driving on the middle at this moment🤔

[@hollyg7346]

Right is wrong

[@LasVegar]

Right=Right Left=left Hmmm I am no Einstein but it seems like the math say that Right is Right.

[@hollyg7346]

@WAR MONGER....

[@Z3phyr2700]

Brain.exe has stopped working

[@shakespeare_hall4788]

I like to drive in reverse on the Wrong side of the road and laugh at the chaos ! Hahahahahah!

[@WillN2Go1]

It's easy to 'switch'. You arrive in a place, rent a car, then think "Drive on the other side." But then what happens is you start to get used to it, but you've got your brain saying, "drive on the other side," which can now cause confusion. This is when after several hours of driving on the 'other side' you suddenly start driving on the side where you came from. I met a Brit who drove right into a guy on day two in Los Angeles. I didn't get in accidents but I also did this switch-switch in the UK. My son while living in Japan came up with what is a better solution, when you get in the car before you put it in Drive you take a breath and say out loud, "This is Japan, in Japan we drive on the left side of the road." Seems like it shouldn't make any difference but in my experience it does. What's happening is that you're making a positive change: Do A, instead of a more complicated and conditional, "don't do what you are used to."

[@alexkilgour1328]

When Newfoundland joined Canada, in 1949, driving switched from left to right. From the photos that I've seen, downtown St. John's was chaos. When you drive around some older parts of town, you can see that the roads were aligned for left side driving, if you think about it. These days it just feels like a road has an awkward intersection, but because they are old areas of town, the roads are narrow anyways.

[@stumpypetros2685]

April, Thank you so much for this short, to the point , simple explanation and even in pictures! Sort of knew the explanation for the left side, but not the reason for the right in multiple countries. Well done!

[@vieuxbal1253]

Great video. I've always been looking for a good explanation on why people drive on the left or right side of the the road. This is by far the most convincing explanation.👍🏿

[@michaelpitman37]

Ive ended up through circumstance driving a RHD car in a LHD country. Literally no issues except the very small possibility of a blind corner and having to get out to get a ticket from a car park ticket barrier.

[@fleshen]

I'm from the UK and have driven on the right in France, Spain and the US. It takes a while but I get used to it! I find the US a bit harder because their road layouts seem more different but on the other side the slower speeds in the US helps you get used to it quickly!

[@riderpikachu7403]

That's a well articulated piece of work. Thank You April.

[@martinwood9419]

Damn it France! Responsible for both the metric system and driving on the right! :P Seriously though, interesting video. I knew about the horseback thing being the reason for driving on the left, but didn't know so much about the origin of driving on the right. Here's a small side thing that might interest some people. The side that your indicators/wipers are on is typically based on the side the steering wheel is too. The indicator is typically on the side furthest from the gear selector. The reason being so that you can operate the indicators while changing gear without having to let go of the steering wheel. The wipers being less important for this and you use them far less often than indicators. So many Japanese imports (at least from the 2000s and earlier, not sure about more recently) the indicator is on the right of the wheel, since Japan have right hand drive cars, this makes the indicator furthest from the steering wheel for domestic use. However, a lot of European cars, the indicator will be on the left of the wheel. Because in their domestic markets with left hand drive cars, that side is further from the gear selector, and when they export the cars to right hand drive countries, they don't manufacture two sets of steering controls, they just move the whole assembly from the left side, to the right. Hence the indicator and wiper controls are technically on the wrong side in those vehicles :)

[@robertoshea9825]

Metric is good tho

[@scirarocco]

If you’ve ever driven a car with the drivers position on the “incorrect” side, it becomes very comfortable and makes a lot of sense very quickly. I’ve driven a lot of imported Left hand drive cars here in the U.K. and now I prefer it, and when I’ve driven in France in a rhd car it’s the same, I can’t however quantify why.

[@TheRSAngle]

So you can shift gears with your right hand?

[@angelika_munkastrap4634]

Woooow thanks so much for this, I've always wondered and this explains it so concisely. Awesome

[@TheMjollnir67]

Actually, mounting horses from the left side comes from the times when people used to have swords on their belts...since the majority of people is right handed, the swords were on the left side of the belt. Trying to mount from the right side with a sword on your left would mean that you had to deal with the sword being in the way and could even hurt you or the horse, while this wasn't the problem when mounting from the left side...

[@edgarbleikur1929]

Recently rode motorbike from Thailand to Laos and two weeks in Laos driving on the right hand side which I really enjoyed; different, due to not as many differences, on a motorbike though...

[@onlineamiga]

Fun Fact: Gibraltar is the only British colony which actually drives on the right. Just made sense to due to neighbouring with Spain and buying cars from there.

[@blueycarlton]

Indonesia also drives on the left. Drove around 7, 000 miles in the USA. Picked up a Ford SUV at LAX and got out into the country side. Once out of LA it was OK being on the other side of the road. Little road traffic once outside of California. Drivers over there are very courteous and the country roads are excellent, compared to Australia.

[@Valhalla.Studio]

it's not that difficult to adjust, takes about a day to get used to it properly! That being said I prefer left side driving and I find that it makes more sense in general!

[@Erik24296]

I also prefer the left side. And that's unfortunate as I live in Germany. But ever since I drove my car over to Britain I can't stop thinking that their way to drive is kind of more logical.

[@isaacf2520]

Not sure what the benefits are for driving on the left or right I think it would be no different to drive on the left or right.

[@Erik24296]

@@isaacf2520 today the differences are marginal but still exist. Most people have a dominant right eye that focuses oncoming traffic when you drive on left, though. And if you switch gears and turn the wheel at the same time the latter is easier with your dominant hand, which for most people is the right one.

[@Kuri0]

I can imagine how many times I'd go onto the wrong side at an intersection

[@hollyg7346]

And everyone has to buy new cars and new buses... So easy!

[@brettmorton7365]

In Australia we drive on both sides to avoid the potholes, all while being upside down.

[@nolesy34]

Tom cruise in Top Gun: I was inverted *INTENSIFIES

[@ianhollands1641]

Driving on the left means that the driver is on the right. Most people are right handed and with the driver on the right this means that auxiliary functions are carried out with the left hand and the most important , steering, with the dominant right.

[@Niinsa62]

I live in Sweden where we drive on the right-hand side of the road. But we only shifted to that, from driving on the left-hand side, in September of 1967, when I was five years old. My parents actually allowed me to ride my tiny little bicycle out on the road (people did that back then, very little traffic), and had instructed me to ride on the left-hand side of the road. I probably was let out on the road in the spring of 1967. And only a few months later, in September, they told me to switch to the other side of the road, which confused me. Apparently, I asked them if this was because summer was over. I suppose I thought this was some recurring change, like we drive on the left in the summertime, and on the right in the wintertime, for some reason I couldn't figure out. I don't really remember me asking, but it was told back to me during later years. Still, I think it would be an interesting concept, switching back and forth every spring and fall! :-)

[@wotsup9oo]

I used to drive a Volkswagen in New Zealand and didn’t realise how uncomfortable it was until I drove a Nissan. And it’s not about the brand, but maybe about the manufacturer country. On a Japanese car you have the indicator just under your right hand, that is your wheeling hand, and the engine revolutions on the outside of your wheel. The speed display lies on the centre of your vision range, and the gears and window cleaning to your left hand. In a German car, everything is the opposite, so you have to switch hands to indicate when turning and look out to the right to watch your speed. So if you live in America or continental Europe, the right feels good, if you live in the Uk, Australia or New Zealand, the left Japanese cars feel better.

[@mattcurry9220]

I think you are onto something there. I have recently drove a german brand in Australia and agree 100%. It was a beautifully made car, but painful to drive and going back to a Japanese car was so much better. Everything was in the correct position.

[@ejv1963]

In UK, all cars, be it German or Japanese would have the indicator stick on the left. This is to prevent drivers from resting the left hand on gear knob, and to keep it on wheel,as we indicate far more than changing gears

[@Techno-Universal]

Also driving on the left is significantly safer as generally if you are right handed your right side is also your dominant side so you are naturally able to be more aware of everything that’s to your right than what’s to your left so you are able to have more awareness on the road if most hazards are to your right! :)

[@byronchavarria4954]

Nope Driving On The Right Is Safer Driving On The Left Is More Dangerous And Idiotic

[@Techno-Universal]

@@byronchavarria4954 Also depends on what side you are most used to driving on! :)

[@1515327E]

@@byronchavarria4954Great use of verifiable evidence to support your well-thought out and mature argument.

[@junii741]

I have always seen people who drive on left side of the road don't have a problem with driving manual transmission , because you don't have to take off the dominant hand (right hand) off the steering wheel while changing the gear . No wonder most Americans hate to drive a manual transmission.

[@applejuice6717]

Air Travel follows Right Hand Traffic which means the Senior Pilot occupies the Left side of the cockpit and Sea Travel is effectively Right Hand Traffic as well, boats are piloted from the Starboard side (right side) to facilitate priority to starboard side..

[@louiswallis8687]

It makes more sense to drive on the left in Europe, as people in Europe drive properly (manual) and the majority of people are right hand dominant, keeping the right hand in control of the direction of the car whilst the other works the gears makes sense.

[@louiswallis8687]

A L 🤝

[@lovemoviesful2]

Lmao! Everyone in the comment section all of sudden became driving lane experts.

[@janverboven]

Indeed, it seems so. Actually it makes no difference at all.

[@robertogrady2798]

Brilliant viewing... great info, keep making videos.

[@rockhaggis]

In Australia, you drive on the left, and in the USA, you drive on the right. Most countries on Earth, about 2/3, drive on the right-hand side, which leaved 1/3 that drives left-handed. People wonder who drive on the left don't just switch over to the right. The good thing is that left-hand side traffic was the worldwide known for a long time.

[@ninjapirate123]

It's only southern hemisphere countries that drive on the left

[@ninjapirate123]

@Memeitis Yeah I forgot about those countries

[@MattGenos]

Nice video! But you did not include Cyprus, most people do not know that our small island exists but we are also one of the countries that we were under the influence of the UK and we still drive on the left.

[@bobbypaluga4346]

Excellent, you answered all my questions. Thinking of spending time in the most incredible place on earth, Australia it scares me to death when I think of driving on the leth it freaks me out

[@snake9911]

I am from the United States of America. I have only been to Canada. I have never been to a country that drives on the left side of the road. When I was in Canada, I didn't drive anyway. I took public transportation. Great video 👍.

[@FreeLancerLondon]

That's the best, most accurate and most detailed explanation for why we drive on the left or right side of the road in different countries. Thanks for your excellent. explanation.

[@patrick280zx]

In Japan, the UK, India and Australia is normal to drive a right hand drive car. But in Canada, America and all of Europe it's normal to drive a left hand drive car. So it goes both ways. Just most cars are left hand drive because in Canada and America it was originally left hand drive cars. Plus construction vehicles as excavators and mini Bobcat excavators are left hand drive/ left hand operated. It's easier to see and operate it.

[@sumrandumguy7177]

I can’t imagine driving in the left late. It would mean having to use your left hand for the stick and panel controls, just weird

[@sumrandumguy7177]

@dendo111 strangely enough, yes. I actually feel more comfortable and adept at steering with me left hand on the wheel than my right. Same thing with cycling; better with left hand on the bar than my right, idk y. I’ve always been like that for as long as I can remember, even though I’m right handed

[@sumanthkumar6665]

Just love this thanks for the info 😍

[@ladymalikah]

Great video. Very well informed, thanks so much for sharing!

[@thaanq9636]

In the UK we drive on the left. In Lithuania we drive on the right. My dad got used to driving on the left. We went to Lithuania last year and almost died. He drove into a wall. Hope that won't happen this year. :D

[@-_James_-]

They have one-way walls to stop people driving on the right in Lithuania?

[@thaanq9636]

@@-_James_- not the area i live in

[@Crosshead1]

As an Aussie, where we drive on the left, I holidayed in the US a couple of years ago, where I drove about 2,000 kilometres. I personally found no difficulty driving on the right side of the road. It took me about five minutes to adapt to the difference after which it felt as natural as driving on the left. The biggest problem was switching on the wipers when I wanted to switch on the indicators as the control stalks were transposed. Funnily enough, for a short time, I did the exact same thing when I came home to Australia and drove my own car.

[@owenshebbeare2999]

I first drove on the Right in the Netherlands, but later drove in the US. Wasn't an issue.

[@byronchavarria4954]

2,000 Miles Not 2,000 Kilometers It’s Kilometers Not Kilometres

[@MLAGG10N3]

as a person coming from mainland europe, spending few months here in australia and driving some time here, i can say driving on right side of the road makes much more sense and its more practical than driving on left... and plus for me personally is totally still weird to drive on the left...

[@TheEulerID]

Fun fact. They drive on the left in the American Virgin Islands despite almost all of their cars being imported from the US mainland with steering wheels on the left. It's the only US territory where they drive on the left. Of the countries (territories) which have switched sides, then you could put in the Falkland Islands when during the brief Argentinian occupation the locals were forced to drive on the right and then reverted back to the left when the place was liberated from Argentinian rule. However, as many of their roads were single track anyway, it might not have made much difference...

[@Rtong98]

Thanks for the video, you do a fantastic job :)

[@sharnistevens1428]

This video is too similar to a video by Wendover Productions that the creator really should have listed their sources, rather than risk a reputation for plagiarism

[@justanormalsponge1801]

Neither, i drive on middle

[@Z3phyr2700]

Or with a bike :v

[@magscovers8924]

My grandma was a Swedish immigrant to the US but she came to the US after the switch and she still talks about how they were made to drive on the other side of the road overnight.

[@FnixGhod1]

Thanks for the info!

[@tekkenfan01]

American cars first had steering wheels in the center. Moving it to the left makes it easier to see out to one side. American movies and media has shown so much right side driving so that's why. People have pointed out that having the wheel on the right side makes more sense because most people are right handed so you want your best hand on the wheel and left on the shift in case of a potential accident you'd have more control. Hello from USA

[@IGotPuns]

I don't know about that. With lots of experience driving I can easily navigate the car with my left hand. In fact I can do it solely left handed the whole way.

[@Melancholyhills]

0:20 actually Nepal is also left hand side driving.

[@deanmoncaster]

Diving on the left is correct for right handed left to right reading Nations. Less time passes between looking away and your eyes returning when reading a sign and your eyes move back towards the road so your peripheral vision can see things with your stronger hand controlling the direction of the car. Driving on the right your eyes look away from the road taking your vision away from the road when you read a sign. Only left handed right to left reading countries should drive on the right. If you base it on maximum safety only.

[@marksandstrom4248]

I agree with the commentator's statement about adaptation-to-the-other-side being easy enough after a few days. My experience was adapting to the left, in the UK, with a RHD car that was likewise very strange to me. I found that it was a big help to keep one key idea firmly in my conscious mind at all times. In my case, for the UK, that was "Look over my right shoulder to see the traffic I must yield to". Say it, think it, repeat 500 times... I'm not sure what I should say is that one rule for someone trying to adapt to the right, in the USA or Canada - it is something no doubt I myself do automatically, instinctively, subconsciously. Any suggestions from you all?

[@user-oe1nt4pp8n]

Driving on the left hand side, means that your dominant right hand is doing the most important part, steering; while the left hand is used for changing climate controls, functions on your car's display, and if you have a manual vehicle, you can shift gears. This only assumes that most people are right handed though, which is true for the most part.

[@helikos1]

Right handed is correct, left handers are the devil's minions.

[@guruxara7994]

But steering is a less complex task compared to changing controls and functions on your car display, to me driving on the right side makes way more sense...

[@grassytramtracks]

@@helikos1 no, the middle ages are over, thankfully

[@Officialnrb]

@@guruxara7994 😂😂

[@mike8055]

Driving on the left feels safer for me because the right eye is more dominant (same goes for most people) which can watch the oncoming traffic more sharply. Also, if driving manual transmission, then my left arm feels better when controlling the gear stick.

[@JAMamation]

Yep, plus most people’s dominant hand is their right hand, which they can keep on the wheel whilst changing gears.

[@grassytramtracks]

But if all of the left handed ppl got together and made a country, we would probably drive on the right (it also means that when you cross the road, the traffic closest to you's on the left)

[@FirstLastOne]

@@JAMamation Nope, that logic doesn't work. A pen or pencil, yes but not a steering wheel or gear 'stick'.

[@FirstLastOne]

Eye dominance makes no difference which side of the road is safer to drive on. Using a camera view finder or aiming a rifle, YES but not driving a car. You probably need corrective glasses if which side of the road you drive on affects you that much.

[@michaelpage7691]

Thanks for your informative documentary. I have always wanted to know why right and left hand drive existed. Well explained. Your other documentaries are also very informative. 👍🏻😁🇦🇺

[@ayoubchaban7837]

Thanks for the infos 🙏🏻

[@AgakAgakEngineer]

Driving on the left just feels a lot more natural Some good reasons are already offered here, such as keeping the right eye on the middle of the road and keeping the right hand on the wheel while changing gears I'll offer another one: it's safer to use your left hand for unimportant tasks, like changing radio stations or picking up a cup from the cup holder Also: feels more natural to have a passenger to your left than your right, maybe it's like how traditionally grooms have their brides to their left, so that their sword arm is free just in case

[@hollyg7346]

Unless you are left handed aha

[@hollyg7346]

@@Mexxx65 So Left handed people can't drive cars? Smh. I am left handed and can still use my right hand with ease it isn't like we only have one hand, what about places that drive on the right side of the road should all right handers not be allowed to drive because they will subsequently die?

[@Mexxx65]

If All cars had blinkers/indicators mounted on the steering wheel as buttons as some Ferrari models have now....Left button to turn Left/right button to turn Right .... No One would die .......

[@irfanhandono]

Nicely worded, good sir!

[@gimmethegepgun]

I would say that it's much more important that whatever task you may be doing with the one hand be done FASTER because it means you're distracted for less time. So since the right hand is more dexterous, it's safer to use that. Remember, hands-free phone calls aren't very much safer than someone using a phone. The danger is really in the distraction, not the lack of hands.

[@PRINCESSCUDDLY1]

driving on the left is actually safer mainly due to most people having stronger perception through their right eye which is used to scan incoming traffic

[@Im-mv6bf]

thank the French guy for fucking everything up

[@flick4117]

Actually, Yep! 2/3 of the world population is right eye dominant making it easier to scan the road if driving on the left. Just because you disagree that people should drive on the left for whatever reason (most likely 'I drive on the right therefore everyone should') doesn't mean you should blatantly ignore facts.

[@Peng_Pong]

My right eye is slightly blurry than my left. Sooooooooooooooooo.

[@benjaminfacouchere2395]

So you think that the roads are safer in the UK than in say Germany or France, less traffic accidents? You need some measure to prove your point with numbers, just claiming it's safer isn't enough :)

[@benjaminfacouchere2395]

@Super Cool Yes, I have. Seems to be hard to argue because UK indeed has lower traffic deaths per vehicles and per vehicle-km than France and Germany, but not Switzerland and Sweden or Italy for example. I would guess this has to do with the higher amount of transit traffic in these two countries. Maybe also different speed limits, would need to look further. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate

[@danielperry2846]

I read somewhere before that driving on the left is safer because most people are right eye dominant, and so can better judge oncoming traffic. Also in manual cars, you can maintain control of the wheel with your dominant right hand while changing gear.

[@Kiwi-Macca]

Well explained. If you are worried about driving on the opposite side to what you are used to when travelling, remember the driver is in the middle of the road and your front seat passenger is on the edge of the road. That makes it a bit more normal everywhere you go. If you find yourself driving beside the gutter that should feel wrong, and is. All assuming your car has the steering wheel in the right place...