❓ why
Why do the British drive on the left?
historytransport
Quick Answer
Keeping left dates back to times when travellers wanted their right hand free to greet or defend against people approaching.
The Full Story
In the Middle Ages, most people were right-handed, so riding on the left kept the sword arm toward oncoming strangers. Britain formalised left-hand traffic in laws such as the Highway Act of 1835. The British Empire spread the custom to many colonies. Meanwhile, much of continental Europe switched to the right, a change often linked to Napoleon.
Key Facts
1.Around a third of the world's population lives in countries that drive on the left.
2.Sweden switched from left to right on 3 September 1967, known as 'Dagen H'.
3.Japan drives on the left, though it was never a British colony.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why Britain Drives on the Left"