Countries That Have Left-Hand Traffic

In the past, most of the people were using the left side of the road.

There was a very plausible reason for this. In the past centuries, it wasn’t possible to know whether someone coming from across the road was an enemy or a friend.

Since people were using mostly their right hands, they were going on the left side of the road and keeping their left safe so that they were able to reach easily to their swords if a danger approaches. Travelling on the left side of the road was formalized first in the 1300s.

The Pope told the pilgrims to travel on the left side of the road so that they wouldn’t cause any chaos.

There are countries in the world where traffic flows from both left and right.

However, today, nearly in the most of the world traffic flows from the right.

Only 33% of the world prefers left.

Some of these countries are England, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

A world map with countries driving on the right side marked in blue and countries driving on the left side marked in yellow. — Map showing right and left-side traffic

Napoleon Effect

A painting shows a historical event with figures in ornate attire in a grand interior, suggesting a formal ceremony.

In the late 18th century, there were no driver’s seats in US postal vehicles, and the driver was sitting on the back and on the horse on the left. This made it more difficult to control the road when you used the left side of the road.

Soon the traffic in the US began to operate on the right. During the French Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre, leader of the Revolutionary, demanded that people go from the right side of the road in Paris.

After a while, Napoleon, himself a left-handed, commanded his trucks to go right from the roads, and in every country, he occupied he passed on this practice life.

Since Britain could never be captured by Napoleon, the British have not abandoned their habit of using the left side of the road. They continued this procedure in all former colonies, such as Australia and India.

Already in the British, unlike the Americans, the driver was sitting on top of the car and on the right. With the development of modern car technology, the driver’s seat and steering wheel in the US were appropriately put on the left.

In Britain and its former colonies, the bill for getting the traffic on the right is so big that they can not easily switch.

You can see the countries where the traffic flows from the left and the right on the above map. The south of the Africa continent, India, Australia and New Zeland where traffic flows from the left. The whole list is at the bottom of the page.

Aerial view of St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, showcasing the obelisk, colonnades, and surrounding buildings with a cityscape in the background.

The traffic flow from left was provided by Italy in 1300, by the pope Boniface 8th. The vast majority of European countries have subsequently abandoned this rule. But Britain did not change its position.

In Japan, traffic also flows from the left. Neither Japan nor Britain are satisfied with this system.

In England, which wanted to adapt to Europe, studies were made in 1960 to change the direction of traffic flow. However, this idea has been abandoned when it turns out that this change will cost billions of pounds.

In Japan, using left-hand drive vehicles is considered a prestige symbol.

Many Countries Changed

A photograph of Tower Bridge in London during twilight with vehicle traffic and the bridge's lights illuminated.

While many countries such as Canada, Italy, China, Sweden, USA and Iceland are among those who change the flow of traffic from left to right, the only example that changes the system from right to left is Okinawa.

The traffic that flowed from the left until 1945 on the Adabas began to flow right during the dominance of Americans until 1972. When the island was given to the Japanese, the flow of traffic was again left.

Driving Standards and How They Changed

A low-resolution world map depicting countries color-coded by driving standards, indicating which side of the road traffic drives on. — Countries driving on the left or right

An image displaying a color-coded chart with text describing driving habits in different regions, specifically which side of the road is used.

Features of Right Hand and Left Hand Traffic

A multilingual traffic sign indicates two-way traffic and instructs to drive on the left, with an empty road behind.

Features of the Left-Hand Traffic

The traffic flows from the left, only the right lane can be used to pass the vehicle in front.
The traffic from the opposite direction is on the right.
Most traffic signs are on the left side of the road where drivers can see.
Vehicles turn clockwise as they return from traffic hubs.
When the rails cross over, they first look to their right.
The vehicle’s driver’s seat is on the right.
Where there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk from the right side of the highway.

Features of the Right-Hand Traffic

The traffic flows from the right, only the left lane can be used to pass the vehicle in front.
The traffic from the opposite side stays on the left.
Most traffic signs are on the right side where drivers can see.
In the traffic hubs, when the cars turn, they turn clockwise in reverse.
When the rails cross over, they first look to their left.
The vehicle’s driver’s seat is on the left.
Where there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk from the left side of the highway.