Ever wonder why Americans and Brits drive on different sides of the road? The Folsom Auto Mall has too, and we did the research so you don’t have to.
The story goes that at one point in history, everyone rode on the left. They rode - horses by the way - on the left to keep their sword arm, typically their right arm, free to defend themselves from attacks on the roads. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that ancient Romans likely drove their chariots and carts on the left, too, steering with their left hands so they could fight with their right.
Additionally, a right-handed person mounts a horse from the left side, making it safer to mount and dismount on the side of the road rather than in the middle. If a rider were to ride on the right side of the road, they’d be mounting and dismounting their horse right in the middle of the traffic. Britain even adopted laws that required horses and carriages to travel on the left.
Up until the 1700s, horse and wagon traffic was pretty light, so sometimes the decision to drive on the left or right varied from town to town. Then in the later part of the century, heavy freight wagons became popular in countries like France and the United States. Freight wagons (sometimes called mule trains and bull trains) usually consisted of 10 to 30 heavy, high-wheeled wagons - each pulled by 6 to 20 animals. The drivers would typically sit on the left rear animal (horse, mule or donkey), keeping their right arm free to lash the rest of the driving team of animals. Talk about power steering (rimshot). Because of his position on the back left, it was too hard to see oncoming traffic - especially passing traffic. There were no “wide load” signs back then and there was no way for the driver to see how close traffic was passing. Ultimately, it was safer to keep these large wagon trains to the right of the road so the driver could see oncoming traffic and how close his wheels were to the carts in the lane beside him. Eventually, all traffic in France and the U.S. shifted to the right to avoid accidents.
Because both Britain and France colonized different parts of the world, their traditions endured - with Australia, New Zealand and India driving on the left, while the rest of Europe, Canada and the U.S. keep to the right.
And that’s why Brits and Americans drive on different sides of the road. Visit the Folsom Auto Mall for your next ride - we promise the steering wheel will be on the correct side!
The story goes that at one point in history, everyone rode on the left. They rode - horses by the way - on the left to keep their sword arm, typically their right arm, free to defend themselves from attacks on the roads. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that ancient Romans likely drove their chariots and carts on the left, too, steering with their left hands so they could fight with their right.
Additionally, a right-handed person mounts a horse from the left side, making it safer to mount and dismount on the side of the road rather than in the middle. If a rider were to ride on the right side of the road, they’d be mounting and dismounting their horse right in the middle of the traffic. Britain even adopted laws that required horses and carriages to travel on the left.
Up until the 1700s, horse and wagon traffic was pretty light, so sometimes the decision to drive on the left or right varied from town to town. Then in the later part of the century, heavy freight wagons became popular in countries like France and the United States. Freight wagons (sometimes called mule trains and bull trains) usually consisted of 10 to 30 heavy, high-wheeled wagons - each pulled by 6 to 20 animals. The drivers would typically sit on the left rear animal (horse, mule or donkey), keeping their right arm free to lash the rest of the driving team of animals. Talk about power steering (rimshot). Because of his position on the back left, it was too hard to see oncoming traffic - especially passing traffic. There were no “wide load” signs back then and there was no way for the driver to see how close traffic was passing. Ultimately, it was safer to keep these large wagon trains to the right of the road so the driver could see oncoming traffic and how close his wheels were to the carts in the lane beside him. Eventually, all traffic in France and the U.S. shifted to the right to avoid accidents.
Because both Britain and France colonized different parts of the world, their traditions endured - with Australia, New Zealand and India driving on the left, while the rest of Europe, Canada and the U.S. keep to the right.
And that’s why Brits and Americans drive on different sides of the road. Visit the Folsom Auto Mall for your next ride - we promise the steering wheel will be on the correct side!