To The Left, To The Left
Although Britain’s extensive colonial rule was dismantled following the Second World War, there are still many remnants of it today. One prominent residual effect of Britain’s influential empire is the left-hand driving system. Here are 20 countries from around the world that drive on the left side of the street.
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1. United Kingdom
The British Empire’s successor, the United Kingdom, would naturally follow in the footsteps of its imperial predecessor. Driving on the left side dates back to the 18th century when it was a common practice among horse riders who wanted to keep their sword hand free on the right. Since then the tradition has been widely adopted in countries around the world, including several former British colonies.
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2. Australia
Due to its British colonial past, Australia had widely adopted the left-hand driving system on its roads. Left-side driving is observed in all states and territories within the land down under, making it deeply influential on vehicle design and infrastructure.
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3. Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun is another in a long line of countries that have adopted left-hand driving, despite not having any colonial ties to Britain. Dating back to the 1870s, the practice was officially ratified in 1924 and has remained the law of the land ever since.
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4. India
Left-side driving is nothing new to the people of India. The practice has long been an integral part of the Indian road system since the country’s extensive British colonial period, where it was widely adopted to accommodate carriages and horses.
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5. South Africa
From bustling urban areas to the country’s breathtaking countryside, left-side driving is strictly adhered all throughout South Africa. A remnant of the country’s British colonial past remains codified more than 60 years since South Africa became an independent republic.
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6. Thailand
Thailand’s chaotic roads and driving culture are held together by one crucial factor: left-side driving. Thailand was either extensively influenced by the British Empire or adopted left-hand driving at the behest of the Japanese who occupied them during the Second World War — however, it’s not clear which of these explanations is accurate.
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7. New Zealand
Much like its neighbour to the north, Australia, New Zealand had also adopted left-side driving due to its historical past as a British colony. Left-side driving has been a familiar practice for the Kiwis since the 19th century when it was first incorporated.
8. Singapore
Britain’s influential colonial rule still reverberates throughout Singaporean society, particularly when it comes to driving. The Southeast Asian island country is meticulously designed with left-handed driving in mind, as this has been the standard way of life since roads were first introduced in 1819.
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9. Malaysia
From sprawling highways to dirt roads, Malaysia has fully developed its network of roads around the practice of left-side driving. This tradition dates back to the time of British colonial rule since the construction of the country’s first public roadway in 1880.
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10. Indonesia
Although not under British colonial rule, Indonesia’s widely adopted practice of driving on the left side of the road is a remnant of the Dutch colonial period. The country’s vast network of roads across various islands strictly adheres to left-side driving to this day.
11. Bangladesh
From densely populated areas like Dhaka (the nation’s capital) to country roads, Bangladesh has firmly adopted left-side driving as part of its driving etiquette. The rule is one of Bangladesh’s most prominent modern-day remnants of its colonial British past.
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12. Sri Lanka
Since the introduction of automobiles to the Southeast Asian island country in 1902, left-side driving has been an integral part of Sri Lankan driving culture. Due to its extensive colonial history with the British Empire, left-hand driving became the law of the land and has remained so to this day.
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13. Kenya
Kenya’s network of roads has strictly adhered to a left-hand driving system since the time of British colonial rule. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the stunning landscapes of the East African nation’s countryside, left-side driving has always been a standard driving practice for Kenyans.
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14. Pakistan
As a former British colony, Pakistan’s driving system is heavily influenced by the left-hand driving of the Brits. Although it considered changing to the right side in the 1960s, Pakistan eventually settled on keeping things the way they were.
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15. Jamaica
Jamaican driving etiquette is heavily influenced by its history as a British colony. As such, left-side driving is mandatory throughout Jamaica, with all road signs and traffic signals strictly adhering to the age-old practice.
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16. Ireland
Ireland, among a select few European countries that have adopted the practice, still mandates left-side driving despite becoming an independent republic in 1948. The orientation is prevalent throughout the country’s road system, including roundabouts and signage.
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17. Malta
This small Mediterranean island nation located between Sicily and the coast of North Africa was once subject to British colonial rule. Although granted independence in 1964, Malta still adheres to the left-side system they inherited from the Brits.
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18. Barbados
As an independent British commonwealth nation, Barbados is heavily influenced by its former British colonial rule. The East Caribbean Island country strictly adheres to left-hand driving throughout its road network.
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19. Cyprus
A remnant of its British colonial past, driving on the left is prevalent throughout the small Mediterranean island country. Despite its independence from colonial rule in 1960, Cyprus still enforces the same driving standards to this day.
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20. Hong Kong
Although Hong Kong was officially handed over to China in 1997, many remnants of British colonial rule still exist to this day, primarily left-side driving. Due to its already extensive and well-developed road infrastructure, Hong Kong has maintained this age-old driving orientation.
