Does Australia Drive On The Right Side Of The Road? Unlike 66% of the world’s population, Australians abide by left-hand traffic laws. That also means the steering wheels in vehicles are on the right-hand side, so the driver is closer to the centre of the road.

Does all Australia drive on the left? All in all, 163 countries and territories have right-hand drive traffic while vehicles use the left-side in 76 countries. The bulk of countries that drive on the left are former British colonies including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. … They consist of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.

Do Australia and England drive on the same side of the road? Most areas of the world which were formerly British colonies still drive on the left hand side of the road including Australia, the Caribbean, India and South Africa. Japan also drives on the left. Europe generally drives on the right hand side apart from Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Does Australia drive on the same side as us?

A: Australia is one of the countries where cars drive on the left side of the road and pass on the right. It’s odd for Americans who are used to driving on the right and passing on the left, but Australia is not alone. In fact, 75 countries fall into the left-hand-drive category.





Does New Zealand drive on the right?

Correct. Like the UK, Australia and Japan, New Zealanders drive right-hand drive cars on the left-hand side of the road.

Why are Australian cars right-hand drive?

Unlike 66% of the world’s population, Australians abide by left-hand traffic laws. That also means the steering wheels in vehicles are on the right-hand side, so the driver is closer to the centre of the road.

Why does Australia drive on the left?

Left-hand driving was made mandatory in Britain in 1835. Countries which were part of the British Empire followed suit. This is why to this very day, India, Australasia and the former British colonies in Africa go left.

Why do Americans drive on the right?

By the Civil War, right hand travel was followed in every State. Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn’t run into a roadside ditch.

Why driving on the left is better?

Left Hand countries deliver safer driving In left-hand traffic systems, the better-perfoming right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver’s wing mirror. In right-hand traffic, the weaker left eye takes over. Plus, left-sided driving is safer for the elderly due to their failing visual abilities.

Why does UK drive on left?

Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.

Why do Japanese drive on left?

Following Japan’s defeat during World War II, the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa came under American rule, which meant that the island was required to drive on the right. In 1978 once the area was returned to Japan, the drivers also returned to the left side of the road.

Which is safer driving on right or left?

It has been noticed that countries that drive on the left side of the road have considerably fewer traffic accidents and fatalities than those that drive on the right side of the road. A study performed in 1969 by J.J.

Does Germany drive on the right?

When Driving in Germany, Which Side of the Road Do They Drive On? Right. In Germany, they drive on the right side of the road.

Is the UK right hand drive?

Even though the vast majority of cars in the UK are right hand drive, It’s entirely legal to drive a left hand drive car in the UK.

What side of the road does Sydney drive on?

Australians drive on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles have the steering wheel on their right side. Around 70% of Australian cars are automatic transmission. When hiring a car, manual transmission (stick-shift) is generally only offered as an option for the cheapest small cars.

Does UK drive on the left or right?

The British drive on the left because most people are right handed. There is a logic which everyone seem to be missing. The two basic hand functions are gear changing and steering.

Does Ireland drive on the left?

Cars on the island of Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road. Signposts in Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) areas are written in Irish (Gaelic). You need a valid national driving licence or an international driving permit. Northern Ireland uses miles per hour, while the Republic of Ireland uses kilometres.

Does Australia switch to left hand drive?

LHD vehicles may be converted to RHD. It is recommended that this change be made before licensing. The conversion method and manner must meet the minimum requirements for workmanship and safety standards. In South Australia only vehicles that are over 30 years old may be licensed as LHD.

Is New Zealand left or right hand drive?

Driving in New Zealand For example: we drive on the left-hand side of the road. it’s easy to underestimate travelling times. our roads are narrower, more winding and sometimes steeper than you might expect.

Can you drive an Australian car in America?

Australian driving licences are generally acceptable in the US. However you will not be able to rent a car if you still have your learners or provisional licence. If your licence was issued in another country and is not printed in English it is a good idea to check whether you need an International Driving Permit.

What side of the road does China drive on?

However, mainland China drives on the right-hand side of the road while Hong Kong is a left-hand drive city. When a mainland driver crosses into Hong Kong, he is likely to sometimes mistakenly end up on the wrong side of the road, and vice versa.

When did Canada switch to right-hand drive?

Confused horses. No one knew what to expect on Dec. 1, 1922, when New Brunswick switched to the right-hand rule of the road at the stroke of midnight. For as long as anyone could remember, drivers in the province had obeyed the left-hand rule of the road — handed down from the province’s colonial past.

Why did Sweden switch to driving on the right?

Sweden initiated the driving change in part because its neighbors already drove on the right side of the road. Many members of the Swedish parliament also argued that the left-hand vehicles Swedes drove had caused too many head-on collisions.

Why does France drive on the right?

France, on the other hand, chose to drive on the right. The French journey toward this decision might surprise you, however! When horses and carriages were first cruising through France, peasants and the poor ducked to the right side of the road while the aristocrats plowed through on the left.