Despite the fact that disputes are still ongoing around this issue, the homeland of the left-hand movement is most likely England. Why was it decided to drive on the left side using a right-hand drive car? How did this scheme spread around the world? Looking at the story, you can answer these questions with ease.

Riding on the left side in England was enshrined in law back in 1756. The penalty for the violation was advanced seriously - a pound of silver. Answering the question why the left lane was chosen, it should be noted that there are two versions on this score.

Shipping tradition

The fleet and shipping in England were for a long time more developed than anywhere else in the world. After all, you can get to the island only by sea. The influence of the marine traditions of Great Britain to this day is very strong, and the tradition of left-hand traffic can follow from this sphere. So, in the past, English ships had to go around others, oncoming, only on the left side. Maritime law could go to land, forming a left-hand traffic.

Interesting fact: The shipping rules of our time assume only right-hand traffic for all ships.

The influence of Roman laws

Ancient Rome seized vast lands during its heyday, its territorial influence came to Britain, however, its conquest took place only in 45 A.D.Roman fortifications stood on the territory of modern England, roads and other objects were built. For example, in 1998 in the southwestern part of the country, in the county of Wiltshire, an old Roman quarry was found. Studying it, scientists noted that the left side of the road leading from the extraction site is more broken than the right. Therefore, they adhered to left-hand traffic.

The Romans did not opt ​​for such an approach. The first roads were built for military purposes, and the main active force was the foot Roman legions. That is, the first roads were predominantly warriors, which in any case it was more reasonable to stick to the left side. After all, only then the right hand with a sword could effectively meet the enemy.

Why is left-handed not only in England?

Given that Britain was a colonial empire, and its possessions spread throughout the world, it is not surprising that some of the rules generally accepted for colonies still remain relevant, even when these countries gained independence. After all, changing the left-hand drive to the right-hand drive is problematic and difficult. However, such an answer is not complete; there are still political nuances.

So, in the revolutionary years in France, people were ordered to use the right side of the road. When Bonaparte came to power, the scheme spread to Germany, Holland, Spain and other countries - allies, but Great Britain, Portugal and Austria-Hungary, which were in opposition to France, essentially insisted on left-hand traffic.

Interesting fact: however, subsequently Portugal and Austria-Hungary ended up in “right-handed” countries. In Russia, they always adhered to the right side, in laws this fact was enshrined in 1752. Having political relations with England, Japan also opted for left-hand traffic.

In which countries has the lane changed?

One example of countries in which the direction of the movement was changed is the United States, where it was done in 1776, after gaining independence from England. When the occupation ended in Korea and the Japanese left, a right-hand movement was also established here - in 1946.

Sometimes the side of the movement has to be changed for convenience - it was necessary to do the same in Africa, in the 60s - 70s of the last century. African countries, which were formerly colonies of France, have a right-hand traffic, which necessitated switching to the same side in Ghana, Nigeria and several other countries.

Samoa switched to left-hand traffic due to the fact that the majority of local cars had a right-hand drive. Used cars of this type came from Australia, New Zealand. In Europe, Sweden became the last country to switch to the right-hand traffic.

Thus, England has left-hand traffic, either inherited from the Romans, or coming from the maritime sphere. Many countries that have had left-hand traffic in the past, or even continue to use this side of the road, are former English colonies, although there are exceptions.