drive on right     drive on left

Driving on either the left or the right side of the road reduces the incidence of vehicles being involved in head-on collisions with each other. This is so fundamental that it is sometimes known simply as the rule of the road. About 34% of the world by population drive on the left, and 66% on the right. By roadway distances, about 28% drive on the left, and 72% on the right,^[1] even though originally most traffic drove on the left worldwide.^[2] Image File history File links Countries_driving_on_the_left_or_right. ... Image File history File links Countries_driving_on_the_left_or_right. ... For other uses, see Driving (disambiguation). ... Look up left in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In jurisprudence and law, a right is the legal or moral entitlement to do or refrain from doing something or to obtain or refrain from obtaining an action, thing or recognition in civil society. ... For other uses, see Road (disambiguation). ... Vehicles are non-living means of transport. ... A car accident in Yate, near Bristol, England, in July 2004. ...

History

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (December 2006)

Map of the world showing the driving directions for all countries and any changes that have occurred, beginning with Finland's change in 1858
     drives on right     drove on left, now drives on right     drives on left     drove on right, now drives on left     had different rules of the road within borders, now drives on right

In 1998, archaeologists found a well-preserved track leading to a Roman quarry near Swindon, England. The grooves in the road on one side were observed to be much deeper than those on the other side, which would make sense given that carts would be driven without any load on the way to the quarry, but would return laden with stone. These grooves suggest that the Romans drove on the left, at least in this particular location. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 19 KB) Summary User created world map showing the driving directions for all countries and any changes that have occurred in the past starting with Finlands change in 1858 Red - driving on right. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 19 KB) Summary User created world map showing the driving directions for all countries and any changes that have occurred in the past starting with Finlands change in 1858 Red - driving on right. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... For other uses, see Quarry (disambiguation). ... Swindon is a large town of Wiltshire, England, located in the South West of the UK (between London and Bristol). ... Note: A cart may also be short for cartridge, particularly in the radio industry, where 8_track cartridges (and later CDs and zip drives) were used. ...

In fact, some believe that ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, horsemen would thus be able to hold the reins with their left hands and keep their right hand free—to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend themselves with swords, if necessary. This also explains why men's jackets and shirts have the buttons on the right. It was important to be able to reach a weapon inside a cloak, so for a right-handed person, the cloak had the left flap over the right flap and the right hand could easily reach in and grab the weapon. Horsemen ... Swiss longsword, 15th or 16th century Look up Sword in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Evening cloak or manteau, from Costume Parisien, 1823 A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat—it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable...

The first legal reference in Britain to an order for traffic to remain on the left occurred in 1756 with regard to London Bridge. The Highway Act 1773 contained a recommendation that horse traffic should remain on the left and this is enshrined in section 78 of the Highway Act 1835. For other uses, see London Bridge (disambiguation). ...

In the late 1700s, a shift from left to right took place in countries such as the United States, when teamsters started using large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver’s seat, so the driver sat on the left rear horse and held his whip in his right hand. Seated on the left, the driver naturally preferred that other wagons overtake him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons. He did that by driving on the right side of the road. A teamster was a person who drove a team of oxen, a horse-drawn or mule-drawn wagon or a muletrain (in the latter case, he was also known as a muleteer or muleskinner). ... A wagon (in old British English waggon) is a wheeled vehicle, ordinarily with four wheels, usually pulled by an animal such as a horse, mule or ox, which was used for transport of heavy goods in the past. ...

The British, however, kept to the left. They had smaller wagons, and the driver sat on the wagon, usually on the right side of the front seat. From there he could use his long whip in his right hand without entangling it in the cargo behind him. In that position, on the right side of the wagon, the driver could judge the safety margin of overtaking traffic by keeping to the left side of the road. Countries that became part of the British Empire adopted the keep-left rule too, although there were some exceptions. Canada, for example, where the maritime provinces and Vancouver (later to become British Columbia) drove on the left, eventually changed to the right in order to make border crossings to and from the United States easier. Nova Scotia switched to driving on the right on April 15, 1923. The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On most early motor vehicles, the driving seat was positioned centrally. Some car manufacturers later chose to place it near the centre of the road to help drivers see oncoming traffic, while others chose to put the driver's seat on the kerb side so that the drivers could avoid damage from walls, hedges, gutters and other obstacles. Eventually the former idea prevailed. Curb, gutter, and storm drain A curb or kerb (see spelling differences) is the edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road shoulder meets an unraised street or other roadway. ...

In Europe, the 20th century saw a slow but steady shift from keep-left to keep-right. Portugal switched to the right early in the 20th century. Austria and Czechoslovakia changed to the right when occupied by Nazi Germany at the end of the 1930s, and Hungary followed suit. Sweden changed in 1967 and Iceland in 1968. Today, just four European countries still drive on the left: Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta. All four are island nations that have no border with countries that drive on the right and all have at one point been under British rule. Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ...

Terminology

A country's traffic-handedness is most properly designated with reference to the rule of the road, i.e., the side of the road along which traffic flows. Using such a referent, countries are said to have left-hand traffic (LHT) or right-hand traffic (RHT). However, traffic-handedness is sometimes designated with reference to the placement of the steering wheel and driver's seat within vehicles. Using this terminology, countries are said to be left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD). In almost all cases, the placement of the steering wheel is opposite to the rule of the road: LHT countries use RHD vehicles, and RHT countries use LHD vehicles. Confusion can arise from the misuse of "LHD" and "RHD" to indicate the side of the road along which vehicles are driven. In addition, there have been markets (such as some Caribbean islands, and Sweden before the change from LHT to RHT in 1967) that use mostly LH-drive vehicles with LH-traffic, or mostly RH-drive vehicles with RH-traffic. In addition, "wrong" hand-drive vehicles are permitted in many markets. West Indies redirects here. ...

Right-hand traffic

• Oncoming traffic is seen coming from the left.
• Left-turning traffic must cross oncoming traffic.
• Most traffic signs facing motorists are on the right-hand side of the road.
• Traffic on roundabouts (traffic circles or rotaries) goes anticlockwise (counter-clockwise).
• Pedestrians crossing a two-way road should first look for traffic from their left.
• Most vehicles have a left-hand driver's position.

Unused traffic signs in Austria Most countries post signage, known as traffic signs or road signs, at the side of roads to impart information to road users. ... A roundabout is a type of road junction at which traffic enters a one-way stream around a central island. ... Look up Pedestrian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Left-hand traffic

• Oncoming traffic is seen coming on the right side.
• Right-turning traffic must cross oncoming traffic.
• Most traffic signs facing motorists are on the left side of the road.
• Traffic on roundabouts (traffic circles or rotaries) goes clockwise.
• Pedestrians crossing a two-way road should first look for traffic from their right.
• Most vehicles have a right-hand driver's position.

Unused traffic signs in Austria Most countries post signage, known as traffic signs or road signs, at the side of roads to impart information to road users. ... A roundabout is a type of road junction at which traffic enters a one-way stream around a central island. ...

Myths and miscellaneous facts

The M1 in Johannesburg, South Africa during rush hour as it passes through the suburb of Sandton. Like most former British colonies in Africa, South Africa drives on the left.

A sign on Australia's Great Ocean Road reminding foreign motorists to keep left.

Nowadays driving on the left is predominantly a custom in Britain and former British colonies. The historical record shows a more varied picture in the past. (See "Places of Interest" section below.) Prior to World War I, countries observing the left-hand rule included parts of Canada, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, parts of Austria, Sweden, Iceland, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, parts of Brazil, parts of Chile, parts of Italy, China, the Philippines, and Burma. Italy changed when Benito Mussolini came to power, Austria and Czechoslovakia when Adolf Hitler annexed or occupied them, the Latin American countries by 1945, the Philippines and China in 1946 (leaving Hong Kong and Macau isolated), and Burma/Myanmar in 1970 on the advice of a soothsayer.^[3] Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The M1 during rush hour as it passes through Sandton. ... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... For other uses, see Rush hour (disambiguation). ... A map of Johannesburg indicating regions and freeways. ... Sandton is a town in the northern part of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Area, South Africa in the Gauteng Province. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2304x3456, 2770 KB) Summary Description: A sign on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia that reads Drive on left in Australia. Source: self-made Date: taken 16th April 2006 Author: Mat Connolley Permission: GFDL (self made) Other versions of this... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2304x3456, 2770 KB) Summary Description: A sign on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia that reads Drive on left in Australia. Source: self-made Date: taken 16th April 2006 Author: Mat Connolley Permission: GFDL (self made) Other versions of this... The Great Ocean Road (known as the Surfcoast Highway between Geelong and Torquay) which stretches along the South Eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Geelong and Warrnambool is one of Australias great scenic coastline drives. ... Mussolini redirects here. ... Hitler redirects here. ...

Some Commonwealth of Nations countries and other former British colonies — notably India and Hong Kong — continue to drive on the left, but others, such as Canada, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the United States switched to the other side.^[4] The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2007 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Appointed 24 November 2007 Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total... A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ...

Apart from former British colonies, most countries' traffic now moves on the right hand side. Exceptions are Indonesia, Suriname, Japan, Thailand, Mozambique, East Timor, Macau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

One frequently hears the story that Napoleon changed the rule of the road in the countries he conquered from keep-left to keep-right. The justifications mentioned are usually symbolic, such as that Napoleon himself was left- (or right-) handed, or that Britain, Napoleon's enemy, kept left. This story has never been shown to have a factual basis and it appears to be a legend; Peter Kincaid concludes so in his book on the rule of the road (pp. 14, 99-100). More research is needed on European rule-of-the-road legislation during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ...

Research in 1969 by J.J. Leeming showed that countries that drive on the left had a lower accident rate than countries that drive on the right, but this research is questioned in Peter Kincaid's book on the rule of the road. Some countries that have switched to driving on the right (such as Sweden) saw their long term accident rates increase by more than any increase in traffic volumes^{[citation needed]}. It has been suggested, but not proven, that this is partly because it is more common to be right-eye dominant.^[5][6][7] Traffic flows in a clockwise direction when driving on the left which enables right eyed people to use the right eye to see oncoming traffic. When overtaking on a right-side-driving road, the right-eyed driver looks in the wing mirror with the left eye and also views the oncoming traffic with the left eye which is not suited to the majority right-eyed people. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into laterality. ...

The British author C. Northcote Parkinson has presented what he calls "proof" that the British way of driving (on the left side of the road) is the natural one. Cyril Northcote Parkinson (born July 30, 1909 in Barnard Castle, Durham County- died March 9, 1993 in Canterbury, Kent) was a naval historian and author of some sixty books, the most famous of which was his best seller Parkinsons Laws, which led him to be also considered as an...

Changing sides at borders

The Change of traffic directions at the Laos–Thai border takes place on Lao territory just off the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.

Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge.

There are many instances of traffic having to change sides at border crossings, such as at those between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Laos and Thailand, Sudan and Uganda. Thailand is particularly notable in the context of border crossings, as it is the only sizeable country that has nearly all of its borders with countries that drive on the opposite side. It drives on the left, but 90% (4,357 km or 2,707 miles) of its borders are with countries that drive on the right, with only Malaysia driving on the left since Myanmar (Burma) changed from driving on the left to driving on the right in 1970. Download high resolution version (1280x960, 550 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1280x960, 550 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 460 KB) Summary Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge on Asian Highway 1 linking Amphoe Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand with Myawaddy, Karen State, Myanmar. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 460 KB) Summary Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge on Asian Highway 1 linking Amphoe Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand with Myawaddy, Karen State, Myanmar. ...

Many borders are formed from natural barriers such as mountains or rivers, and this is particularly true of borders where traffic changes sides of the road, especially in Asia. These natural barriers make the number of border crossings much lower than would otherwise be the case. Furthermore, given their remoteness, most mountain border crossings have relatively low traffic volumes and so changing sides of the road is even less of an issue. For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ...

The four most common ways of switching traffic from one side to the other at borders are:

• Traffic lights. Examples are:
  • Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos, change takes place on Lao side - photo, photo
  • Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, between Thailand and Laos, change takes place on Thai side
  • Friendship Bridge between Thailand (Mae Sot) and Myanmar (Myawaddy) - photo
  • New bridge between Thailand (Mae Sai) and Myanmar (opened in 2006) - photo

• Crossover bridges. Examples are:
  • Lok Ma Chau between Hong Kong and mainland China - Google Maps
  • Lotus Bridge between Macau and mainland China - Google Maps

• Border roads intersect with roundabouts or other one-way traffic systems. Examples are:
  • Man Kam To between Hong Kong and mainland China - Google Maps
  • Land border between Macau and mainland China - Google Maps

• No automatic infrastructure (signposts and directions only), most commonly found at borders with low vehicular traffic volumes. Examples are:
  • Poipet between Thailand and Cambodia - photo, photo
  • Old bridge between Thailand (Mae Sai) and Myanmar - photo, photo
  • Khunjerab Pass between Pakistan and China - photo

The Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Thai Saphan Mittaphap Thai-Lao) is a bridge over the river Mekong, connecting the provinces of Nong Khai (city of Nong Khai) in Thailand and Vientiane in Laos. ... The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong connects Mukhadan province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. ... Mae Sot (Thai: แม่สอด) is a town and district in Tak Province, Thailand at the Thai-Myanmar border with Moei River as natural boundary. ... Mae Sai is the northernmost district (Amphoe) of Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand. ... Lok Ma Chau or Lokmachau (落馬洲) is a place at the border of Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the northwest New Territories of Hong Kong. ... satellite photo of Lotus Bridge Lotus Bridge is an international bridge linking Taipa island of Macau with Zhuhai in mainland China. ... Man Kam To or Mankamto (文錦渡) is a place in the border of Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the north New Territories of Hong Kong. ... Poipet is a Cambodian town on the Thai/Cambodian border. ... Khunjerab Pass from Pakistani side Snow leopard, an endangered species, is found in the Khunjerab National Park The Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass on the northern border of Pakistan with the Peoples Republic of China. ...

Changing the rule

The most common reason for countries to switch to driving on the right is for conformity with neighbours, as it increases the safety of cross-border traffic. For example, former British colonies in Africa, such as Gambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Ghana, have all changed from left- to right-hand traffic, as they all share borders with former French colonies, which drive on the right. The former Portuguese colony of Mozambique has always driven on the left, as all its neighbours are former British colonies. Decisions by countries to drive on the right typically concern conformity and uniformity rather than practical reasons. There are historical exceptions, such as postilion riders in France, but such historical advantages do not apply to modern road vehicles. A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In the former British Crown colony of Hong Kong and the former Portuguese enclave of Macau, traffic continues to drive on the left, unlike in mainland China, despite the fact that they are now its Special Administrative Regions. On the other hand, Taiwan, formerly under Japanese rule, changed to driving on the right in 1946 after the government of the Republic of China assumed administration; the same happened in Korea (both North and South), aformer Japanese colony under U.S. and Soviet occupation. However, some trains in Seoul, as well as pedestrian traffic in the subway system, still keep to the left. A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ... A Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the Peoples Republic of China is an administrative division of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... The Japanese colonial period, Japanese rule or the Japanese occupation[1], in the context of Taiwans history, refers to the period between 1895 and 1945 during which Taiwan was a Japanese colony. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... This article is about the Korean civilization. ... Flag of the Japanese Empire Anthem Kimi ga Yoa Korea under Japanese Occupation Capital Keijo Language(s) Korean, Japanese Religion Shintoisma Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor of Japan  - 1910–1912 Emperor Meiji  - 1912–1925 Emperor Taisho  - 1925–1945 Emperor Showa Governor-General of Korea  - 1910–1916 Masatake Terauchi  - 1916–1919 Yoshimichi... Soviet redirects here. ... Short name Statistics Location map Map of location of Seoul. ... A map of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. ...

Foreign occupation and military transit

Many countries have temporarily or permanently changed their rule of the road as a result of foreign occupation. Recent examples include Austria, Czechoslovakia (details) and Hungary under German rule or military transit in the 1930s and 1940s. The Channel Islands also changed to driving on the right under German occupation, but changed back after liberation in 1945. The Falkland Islands did the same under Argentine control during the 1982 Falklands War. (Although the Argentine government officially ordered the islanders to drive on the right, they often drove on the left to assert their defiance to occupation.) East Timor changed to driving on the left under Indonesian rule in 1976, and continues the practice as an independent state. The Japanese region of Okinawa changed from left to right under U.S. occupation; after the occupation ended, it changed back to driving on the left to match the rest of Japan. Belligerent military occupation occurs when the control and authority over a territory belonging to a state passes to a hostile army. ... The switch to right hand traffic in Czechoslovakia describes changes in the rules of the road in 1938/1939. ... This article is about the British dependencies. ... Combatants Argentina United Kingdom Commanders President Leopoldo Galtieri Vice-Admiral Juan Lombardo Brigadier-General Ernesto Crespo Brigade-General Mario Menéndez Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse Rear-Admiral John “Sandy” Woodward Major-General Jeremy Moore Casualties 649 killed 1,068 wounded 11,313 taken prisoner 75 fixed... This article is about the prefecture. ...

Uniformity

Traffic driving on the right in Savoy Court in London (the UK usually drives on the left)

Vehicles driving on the left on the A1 Motorway near Washington Services in Tyne and Wear, England heading towards Scotland.

Article 9(1) of the United Nations' Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949)^[8] requires each country to have a uniform direction of traffic, i.e. each country may have either left-hand traffic or right-hand traffic, but not both. The exact wording of the article is: Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 610 KB) Photo taken by Nicholas Hodder File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 610 KB) Photo taken by Nicholas Hodder File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Savoy Court is the forecourt of the Savoy Hotel - and is the only street in the United Kingdom where drivers are legally required to drive on the right. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (3264 × 2448 pixel, file size: 1. ... Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in the North East of England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ...

Before that, a country could have different rules in different parts, for example Canada until the 1920s.

When islands are excluded, the only continents in which the same rule of the road applies over the entire continent are:

1. Australia with left-hand traffic.
2. Mainland Europe, since Sweden changed to right-hand traffic in 1967.
3. North America, including Central America, since British Honduras changed to right-hand traffic in 1961.

Africa, Asia, and South America have land borders where drivers must change to the other side of the road. For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... North America North America is a continent [1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... Flag Capital Belize City Language(s) English Government Constitutional monarchy History  - Established 1871  - Disestablished 1981 Area 22,966 km2 8,867 sq mi Currency British Honduran dollar Flag of British Honduras British Honduras was the former name of what is now the independent nation of Belize and was a British... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

Vehicles

Legal restrictions on "wrong-hand drive" vehicles

For safety reasons (and in some cases political or economic reasons), some countries have banned the sale or import of vehicles with the steering wheel on the "wrong" side.

Imported AMX from the United States with RHD assembled from CKD by Australian Motor Industries in 1969. Even the antenna location was changed.

In Australia this is the case with non-vintage (i.e. less than 30 years old) LHD vehicles, with the result that Australians who import such vehicles usually must pay sometimes thousands of dollars to convert them to RHD. The exceptions are for vehicles registered in Western Australia and the Northern Territory - both which have at various times hosted U.S. military facilities and had vehicles imported, used and sold by U.S service personnel in circulation. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) previously allowed non-vintage LHD vehicles to be registered, but changed its legislation some years ago. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2080x1550, 535 KB)1969 American Motors (AMC) AMX two-seat sports car - assembled from CKD and distributed in Australia by Australian Motor Industries (AMI). ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2080x1550, 535 KB)1969 American Motors (AMC) AMX two-seat sports car - assembled from CKD and distributed in Australia by Australian Motor Industries (AMI). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... AMI emblem attached on American Motors cars assembled during 1968-1978 Australian Motor Industries (AMI) was a corporation and an important participant in the automobile industry in Australia. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... For similar terms, see Northern Territories (disambiguation) Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Motto(s): none Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator Ted Egan Chief Minister Clare Martin (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2004... Capital Canberra Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator none Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2006)  - Product ($m)  $19,167 (6th)  - Product per capita  $57,303/person (1st) Population (End of November 2006)  - Population  333,667 (7th)  - Density  137. ...

In New Zealand, LHD vehicles may be privately imported, and driven locally under a LHD permit. Since 1999, only LHD vehicles older than 20 years or cars owned and operated for at least 90 days may be privately imported. Diplomats and Operation Deep Freeze personnel are exempted from these restrictions. This page is about negotiations; for the board game, see Diplomacy (game). ... Operation Deep Freeze I was the codename for a series of scientific expeditions to Antarctica in 1955–56. ...

In the Philippines, RHD vehicles especially cars, are banned. Public buses and vans imported from Japan are converted to LHD, and passenger doors are created on the right side. However, some vans keep their doors on the left side, leading to the odd (and dangerous) situation in which passengers have to exit toward oncoming traffic.

Cambodia banned the use of RHD cars, many of which were smuggled from Thailand, from 2001, even though RHD vehicles accounted for 80 percent of vehicles in the country. The government threatened to confiscate all such vehicles unless they were converted to LHD, in spite of the considerable expense involved. According to a BBC report,^[9] changing the steering column from right to left would cost between US$600 and US$2,000, in a country where average annual income was less than US$1,000. For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... USD redirects here. ...

A RHD Toyota Landcruiser in front of a Pyongyang hotel

Although it drives on the right, North Korea has imported various used RHD vehicles from Japan, from tourist buses to Toyota Land Cruisers. Image File history File linksMetadata Pyongyang_Toyota_Landcruiser. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Pyongyang_Toyota_Landcruiser. ... This article is about the automaker. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

However, many used vehicles exported from Japan to countries like Russia and Peru are already converted to LHD. But even if the driver's position is left unchanged, some jurisdictions require at least readjustment of the headlights. The term grey import refers to an item that has been imported into a country, legally, but without the agreement of the manufacturer. ...

Singapore bans LHD vehicles from being imported for personal local registration, but temporary usage by tourists of LHD vehicles is allowed. However, diplomatic vehicles in Singapore are exempt from the RHD-only ruling, and there are a few hydrogen and fuel cell powered LHD vehicles currently undergoing trials in Singapore. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing from the latter in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i. ...

In Taiwan, Article 39 of the Road Traffic Security Rules (zh:道路交通安全規則) require a steering wheel to be on the left side of a vehicle to pass an inspection when registering the vehicle, so RHD vehicles may not be registered in Taiwan. This rule does not apply retroactively so older RHD vehicles may continue to be legally driven.

In Trinidad and Tobago, LHD vehicles are banned except for returning nationals who were resident in a foreign country and are importing a vehicle for personal use. LHD vehicles are also allowed to be imported for use as funeral hearses. For other uses, see Funeral (disambiguation). ... Funeral carriage, Museum of Funeral Customs For the extreme metal band, see Hearse (band) A hearse is a funeral vehicle, a conveyance for the coffin from e. ...

In West Africa, once-British Ghana and Gambia have also banned RHD vehicles. Their traffic has been changed from on the left to on the right. Ghana prohibited new registrations of RHD vehicles after 1 August 1974, three days before the traffic change on 4 August 1974. RHD vehicles may be imported only temporarily into Sierra Leone, for example for humanitarian programmes, but must be rexported at the end of the operation.  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...

Most of the above bans on RHD and LHD vehicles apply only to locally-registered vehicles. Countries that have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic are not allowed to make such restrictions on foreign-registered vehicles. Paragraph 1 of Annex 5 states "All vehicles in international traffic must meet the technical requirements in force in their country of registration when they first entered into service". Therefore all signatory countries and most non-signatory countries allow the temporary import (e.g. by tourists) of foreign-registered vehicles, no matter which side the steering wheel is on. Oman, which has not signed the convention bans all foreign-registered RHD vehicles.^[10] The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is an international treaty designed to facilitate international road traffic and to increase road safety by standardising the uniform traffic rules among the contracting parties. ... The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is an international treaty designed to facilitate international road traffic and to increase road safety by standardising the uniform traffic rules among the contracting parties. ...

Both RHD and LHD vehicles may generally be registered in any European Union member state, but there are some restrictions and regulations. Slovakia, despite being a member of the European Union, does not allow the local registration of RHD vehicles,^[11] even if the vehicle is imported from one of the four EU countries that drive on the left (UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta). Lithuania has prohibited new RHD vehicle registration since 1993.

Headlamps and other lighting equipment

Most low-beam headlamps are specifically designed for use on one side of the road or the other. Headlamps for use in LH-traffic countries have low-beam headlamps that "dip to the left", i.e., the light is distributed with a downward/leftward bias to show the driver the road and signs ahead without blinding oncoming traffic. Headlamps for RH-traffic countries have low beams that "dip to the right", with most of their light directed downward/rightward. Within Europe, when driving a vehicle with RH-traffic headlamps in a LH-traffic country or vice versa for a limited time (as for example on holiday or in transit), it is a legal requirement to adjust the headlamps temporarily so that the wrong-side hot spot of the beam does not dazzle oncoming drivers. This may be achieved by adhering blackout strips or plastic prismatic lenses to a designated part of the lens, but some varieties of the projector-type headlamp can be made to produce a proper LH- or RH-traffic beam by shifting a lever or other movable element in or on the lamp assembly. A SAAB headlight with combination projector/reflector optics A headlight or headlamp is a light, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as night or precipitation. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Because blackout strips and adhesive prismatic lenses reduce the safety performance of the headlamps, most countries require all vehicles registered or used on a permanent or semi-permanent basis within the country to be equipped with headlamps designed for the correct traffic-handedness.

Anecdotal reporters have observed the requirement to adjust headlamps for the traffic-handedness of the country is increasingly flouted, and is now rarely enforced by European police forces. In France, this may be due in part to the 1993 deletion of the previous requirement for Selective yellow headlamp light; foreign-registered vehicles are now much less conspicuous at night. Selective yellow is a colour for automotive lamps. ...

Without sidecars attached, motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, and bicycles are almost symmetric with their handlebars in the centre. However, motorcycles are often equipped with automotive-type asymmetrical-beam headlamps that likewise require adjustments or replacement when brought into a country with opposite traffic-handedness. BMW R51/3 motorcycle with sidecar Ural Retro with sidecar Vespa scooter with sidecar This article concerns sidecar as an attachment to a motocycle. ... A typical mid 1980s twist and go scooter. ... Mopeds are a class of low-powered motorized vehicles, generally two-wheeled. ... For other uses, see Bicycle (disambiguation). ...

Rear fog lamps

Within the EU, vehicles must be equipped with one or two red rear fog lamps. A single rear fog lamp may be located on the vehicle centreline, or on the driver's side of the vehicle. It may not be located on the passenger's side of the vehicle. This sometimes requires the purchase and installation of local-market lighting components. The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted or integrated to the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. ...

Buses

Comparison of continental door (left) against standard emergency exit door (right) on Plaxton Paramount coaches.

Buses typically have passenger doors only on the curb side, which severely restricts their ability to operate effectively on the opposite side of the road to that for which they were designed. Increasingly, touring coaches, which are likely to cross frontiers of traffic-handedness during their duties, are fitted with a door on the opposite side from the kerb, to simplify access and egress in the foreign country. In Britain this is known as a "continental door", since its usefulness will be in continental Europe. It doubles as an emergency exit, but is much more user-friendly than an exit designed solely for emergency use. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Plaxton Paramount II 4000 and 3500 coaches The Plaxton Paramount was a design of coach bodywork built by Plaxton between 1982 and 1991. ... Autobus redirects here. ... Curb, gutter, and storm drain A curb or kerb (see spelling differences) is the edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road shoulder meets an unraised street or other roadway. ... For other uses, see Coach. ...

It is usually fairly straightforward to retrofit a non-kerb-side door on buses with relatively low floor height, for example the many traditional British double-deckers sold on for tourist use in the USA and Canada. A London AEC Routemaster, RML 2473 (JJD 473D), on route 7 approaching Ladbroke Grove tube station in April 2002. ...

Trains

Trains often do not operate on the same side of the road as cars do. In France, for instance, the first train lines were built by British engineers, so kept to the left - which is the opposite for cars. The Paris RER trains keep left, but have to operate on separate tracks within the Paris Metro area which was designed to run on the right. Another anomaly occurs in the Alsace-Moselle region, where trains keep to the right because the lines were built in the late 19th century when Alsace-Moselle had been part of Germany. Bridges at the former border allow the trains to swap sides. A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering. ... The RER (Réseau Express Régional, IPA , Regional Express Network) is an urban rail network in the ÃŽle-de-France région, notably Paris and its agglomeration. ... Paris Art Nouveau Metro sign The Paris Métro is the metro (underground) system in Paris, France. ... (New region flag) (Region logo) Location Administration Capital Regional President Departments Bas-Rhin Haut-Rhin Arrondissements 13 Cantons 75 Communes 903 Statistics Land area1 8,280 km² (??? mi) km² Population (Ranked 14th)  - January 1, 2006 est. ... Moselle is a département in the northeast of France named after the Moselle River. ...

Moreover the exceptions of left or right hand driving are much more common for trains than for cars. Initially, most steam engines were RHD, with the driver (engineer) sitting on the right, and the fireman (conductor) sitting on the left. This was customary in the UK and it spread to the USA and elsewhere in the world. RHD was never converted to LHD even if the trains switched to right-hand running. RHD remains the customary way for operating trains, with the driver on the right and assistant, sitting on the left side of the cab. Ironically, some railways, particularly, the London Underground, switched to LHD with left-hand running. Left Hand Drive with left hand running also became common on UK mainline railways, with the Great Western being the only of the "big four" to keep the driver on the right. The London Underground is an underground railway system - also known as a rapid transit system - that serves a large part of Greater London, United Kingdom and some neighbouring areas. ...

In countries with trains keeping to the right it is often said that RHD is safer, as it is possible that something from a train passing on the left track (like opened cargo doors) may hit the train. In such case driver on the right is safer than if he were sitting to the left. Also, since signs and signals are usually placed on the outside of double track formations (e.g left hand side for left hand running or right hand side for right hand running), having the driver on the side as well makes it easier for them to see signs and signals, and also to view back along the platform either directly or using mirrors, particularly useful with one person operated trains. Finally, if 'train orders' or 'tokens' (permission to continue beyond a station or other control point) are handed-up or grabbed by the engine driver while rolling past, being on the 'outside' is mandatory to receive these 'orders/tokens'...

Tram and streetcar systems follow the same rules as normal road traffic in the country concerned, both on road and on reserved sections. The driver is usually positioned towards the centre of the vehicle, although some one person operated trams have been developed where the driver sits towards the centre of the road (e.g on the left hand running Blackpool system, the driver is on the right) with the passenger doors on the kerb side.

Unlike on the road, it is possible for trains to safely run on the wrong side so long as bi-directional signalling is installed. This is normally only done in limited circumstances, since junctions and other infrastructure is usually optimised for running in one direction.

Train entering the Channel Tunnel from France

Countries with trains generally keeping to the right (incomplete list)^[1] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 578 KB) The French end of the Channel Tunnel taken by Nicholas Hodder on 06-Sep-2001 I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 578 KB) The French end of the Channel Tunnel taken by Nicholas Hodder on 06-Sep-2001 I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the...

• Spain (except for metro systems)
• Canada
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Finland
• Germany
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Philippines
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia (except between Moscow and Ryazan)
• Taiwan
• USA (except for trains operating on the former Chicago & North Western right-of-way)

Countries with trains generally keeping to the left (incomplete list):^[1] For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... , Ryazan (Russian: IPA: ) is a city in the Central Federal District of Russia, the administrative center of Ryazan Oblast. ...

• Argentina
• Australia
• Belgium
• Brazil
• China
• Chile
• France (except: trains in Alsace and the Moselle part of the Lorraine region; all metros except Lyon)
• Hong Kong (except KCR Ma On Shan Rail)
• India
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Portugal
• Singapore
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• UK

Opening Date 21 December 2004 Stations 9 Number of trains 20 Service Area Sha Tin The Ma On Shan Rail (Chinese: 馬鞍山鐵路, abbreviated as 馬鐵) is an extension of the KCRC East Rail network in Hong Kong. ...

Boats

Generally all water traffic keeps to the right. This is historically because, prior to the use of a rudder, the boat was steered by a tiller, which was located on the right-hand side of the boat, because the helmsman, standing in the middle of the boat and looking ahead, used his right hand to operate it. By keeping to the right, boats pass port-to-port, protecting the steering oar. Traditionally, boats would also moor with the left hand side to the quay to prevent damage to the steering oar, and this was referred to as larboard (“loading side”), later replaced by port to prevent confusion from the similar sounding words. When modern style rudders fixed to the stern were developed, the helmsman was moved amidships (on the centreline), and when wheels replaced tillers this generally remained the same. Some boats, typically smaller pleasure craft, have the wheel on the left hand side, to give a better view of passing traffic. Stern-mounted steering oar of an Egyptian riverboat depicted in the Tomb of Menna (c. ... The steering oar or steering board is an oversized oar or board to control the direction of a ship or other watercraft prior to the invention of the rudder. ... Port is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the left side of a ship, as perceived by a person facing towards the bow (the front of the vessel). ...

However, there are many exceptions, often indicated on the particular bridge itself.^[1]

Priority

Main articles: Traffic#Priority (right of way) and Priority in Traffic

As well as the side of the road, priority rules also differ between countries. In the United Kingdom, priority is always indicated by signs or road markings, in that almost every junction not governed by traffic lights or a roundabout has a concept of a major road and minor road. In most of Continental Europe, the default priority is to give way to the right, but this default is overridden by signs or road markings on all but very minor roads. In many residential areas in Germany and Luxembourg now you have to give way to the right in an effort to slow down traffic. In France, until the 1980s, the "priorité à droite" (give way to the right) rule was employed at most roundabouts, in that traffic already on the roundabout had to give way to traffic entering the roundabout. Most French roundabouts now have give-way signs for traffic entering the roundabout, but there remain some notable exceptions that operate on the old rule, such as the Place de l'Étoile around the Arc de Triomphe. Traffic on this particular roundabout is so chaotic that French insurance companies deem any accident on the roundabout to be equal liability. British, and Irish drivers, who are accustomed to having right of way by default unless they are specifically told to give way, are often more confused by the default give-way-to-the-right rule used on minor roads in nearby Continental Europe than they are by switching sides of the road. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... A roundabout is a type of road junction at which traffic enters a one-way stream around a central island. ... Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands and, at times, peninsulas. ... The Place de lÉtoile is a large Place in Paris, France, the meeting point of twelve avenues (hence the name Star Square) including the Champs-Élysées which continues to the east. ... This article is about the monument in Paris. ... Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands and, at times, peninsulas. ...

Lanes

Main articles: Traffic#Lanes and Lanes in Traffic

When driving on the left: This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

• The lane designated for overtaking (passing) and turning right is on the right
• The lane designated for normal driving and turning left is on the left
• Most motorway exits are on the left
• Overtaking is sometimes permitted to the left. In the UK overtaking on the left (colloquially known as 'undertaking') is not usually permitted, except in certain circumstances, such as when the vehicle being passed is indicating to make a right turn, in a queue of slow-moving traffic, or on a one-way street where all lanes are travelling in one direction. Directives generally require all traffic to keep left unless overtaking.

When driving on the right: Motorway symbol in UK, France and Ireland. ...

• The lane usually designated for overtaking (passing) and turning left is on the left
• The lane designated for normal driving and turning right is on the right
• Most motorway exits are on the right
• Overtaking is sometimes permitted to the right.

Motorway symbol in UK, France and Ireland. ...

Places of interest

Afghanistan

Afghanistan drives on the right. Most vehicles in much of the country, however, are RHD cars imported from neighbouring Pakistan (with the exception of Herat and other western provinces). In the capital Kabul, most drivers have adapted to this problem, leaning over the passenger seat (on the car's left side) before making a left turn or before the dangerous practice of overtaking other vehicles by veering into the left (oncoming traffic) lane. The country also has a large volume of military vehicle traffic from the U.S., Canada and EU militaries, much of which is LHD. Herāt (Persian: ‎ ) is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt. ... For other places with the same name, see Kabul (disambiguation). ...

Australia

Australia drives on the left. For many decades all Australian states and territories used the "give way to the right" rule, requiring vehicles, even on major, multi-lane roads, to give way to another vehicle entering (however abruptly) from a side road and turning right onto the major road. As traffic densities and speeds increased, the collision rate became too great and the rule was changed in the early 1980s, with turning movements made much