Why does the USA Drive on the right side of the road?

Summary

Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "Why Does the USA Drive on the Right Side of the Road?"

Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media

---

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "Who Smarted?", hosts Trusty and Dottie delve into the intriguing question: "Why does the USA drive on the right side of the road?" Combining humor with historical insights, they explore the evolution of traffic regulations and the factors influencing different driving sides worldwide.

---

Setting the Stage: The Driving Test Conversation [00:00 - 03:16]

The episode opens with Trusty practicing for his driving test under Dottie's supervision. Their playful banter sets the tone for an educational yet entertaining discussion.

• Trusty humorously challenges his driving skills:

  "I'm going to AC pass my driving road test."
  [00:29]

• Dottie emphasizes the importance of staying in the correct lane:

  "You're a good driver. Just remember to stay in your lane."
  [01:04]

This exchange naturally leads into the main topic, as Trusty ponders the rationale behind driving on different sides of the road globally.

---

Historical Origins: Ancient Rome's Influence [04:09 - 06:00]

Trusty raises a pivotal question about the prevalence of right-side driving in the USA compared to left-side driving in countries like England.

• Dottie traces the origins back to ancient Rome:

  "They rode on the left side was so they could have their right hand free to hold a sword or other weapon."
  [04:52]

This strategic choice was practical for warriors, ensuring their dominant hand remained free for defense.

---

Standardization in England: The London Bridge Act [06:44 - 07:37]

As traffic increased, the need for standardized driving sides became evident, particularly in England.

• Dottie explains the London Bridge Act of 1756:

  "You had to drive on the left side of the road."
  [07:11]

This legislation formalized left-side driving, coinciding with the introduction of the horse-drawn London taxi, laying the foundation for modern traffic laws.

---

The French Revolution and Napoleon's Influence [08:17 - 09:20]

The conversation shifts to France, where chaos reigned until the early 20th century.

• Dottie attributes the shift to Napoleon:

  "Napoleon changed France from left hand traffic to right hand traffic after the French revolution ended in 1794."
  [08:28]

Whether due to strategic maneuvering or his left-handedness, Napoleon's policies significantly impacted France's driving side.

---

Global Shifts: Political and Practical Reasons [09:27 - 10:24]

Trusty inquires about the factors determining a country's choice of driving side.

• Dottie highlights political influence and practicality:

  "Often it was political. For example, Finland switched from left to right in 1858 because they were ruled by Russia and Russia preferred right."
  [09:27]

Additionally, alignment with neighboring countries plays a crucial role in maintaining consistency and reducing confusion at borders.

---

Case Study: Sweden's Seamless Transition [14:41 - 16:08]

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Sweden's meticulous switch from left to right in 1967, overcoming logistical challenges with precision.

• Dottie details the transition plan:

  "The switch was a carefully orchestrated four year plan that began in 1963... at 4.50am, any vehicle on the road had to come to a complete stop and slowly move to the right side."
  [15:58]

This well-executed change involved redesigning buses, traffic lights, and educating the public to ensure safety and efficiency.

---

Border Crossings and Specialized Infrastructure [16:47 - 17:51]

The hosts explore regions where countries with differing driving sides share borders, necessitating unique solutions.

• Dottie mentions specific examples:

  "Between Macau and China, there is an elaborate, especially designed switchover road for getting people who drive in from Macau on the left to do a big loop de loop which spits them out on the China side on the right."
  [17:01]

Such infrastructure ensures smooth transitions for drivers crossing borders with conflicting traffic regulations.

---

Persistence of Left-Side Driving: Colonial Legacy and Isolation [17:51 - 18:59]

Despite the global trend towards right-side driving, some countries continue left-side traffic due to historical and geographical reasons.

• Underlining Colonial Influence:

  "Many used to be part of the British Empire, such as India, Jamaica and Australia. So when these places were colonized, the British brought left hand traffic with them."
  [17:51]

• Impact of Island Geography:

  "Many island nations drive on the left because they never had the pressure from border countries to make the switch."
  [18:09]

This enduring legacy maintains left-side driving in several nations today.

---

Conclusion: The USA and Its Right-Side Driving Legacy

Wrapping up, Trusty admits that his initial quest for a driving test was a ruse to explore the driving side dichotomy. The discussion underscores how historical events, political decisions, and practical necessities have shaped global driving norms.

• Trusty reflects on his journey of understanding:

  "Well, this was super interesting, Dottie, but I have a confession. I'm not actually taking my road test again tomorrow."
  [18:56]

This episode highlights the intricate tapestry of history and practicality that determines why countries like the USA drive on the right side of the road, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of a seemingly simple yet globally varied practice.

---

Notable Quotes

1. Dottie on Ancient Rome's Driving Side Choice:

   "They rode on the left side was so they could have their right hand free to hold a sword or other weapon."
   [04:52]

2. Dottie on England's Standardization:

   "You had to drive on the left side of the road."
   [07:11]

3. Trusty on Sweden's Transition:

   "Well played, Sweden."
   [15:58]

4. Dottie on Colonial Influence:

   "Many used to be part of the British Empire... So when these places were colonized, the British brought left hand traffic with them."
   [17:51]

---

Final Thoughts

"Who Smarted?" masterfully intertwines humor with educational content, making complex historical and political developments accessible and entertaining for young minds and families. This episode not only answers a common curiosity but also illustrates the profound impact of historical events on everyday practices like driving.

Transcript

[Trusty]

And now it's time for who Smarted? So, how'd I do?

[Dottie]

Parallel parking. Good. Three point turn. Excellent. Staying in your lane. Hmm. You do have a tendency to slide to the left. But.

[Trusty]

But I should be able to pass my road test tomorrow, right?

[Dottie]

Yes. Just make sure you stay on your side of the road.

[Trusty]

You hear that, smarty pants? I'm going to AC pass my driving road test.

[Dottie]

Pass I don't know about Ace.

[Trusty]

Right. Anyway, I wouldn't be able to do it without my driving instructor, Dottie. She's only the best driving instructor ever.

[Dottie]

Aw, thanks Trusty. But I am curious. You passed your driving test when you were 17. You already have a driver's license and you have been driving a car for years. Why do you want to take your driving test again?

[Trusty]

You know, I just want to see if I still got okay.

[Dottie]

Well, you're a good driver. Just remember to stay in your lane.

[Trusty]

Right. I will. But speaking of lanes, that got me thinking. Why do people in America drive on the right side of the road? And why do people in other places like England, where you're from, drive on the left side of the road? And who decided all this stuff anyway?

[Dottie]

Great questions, Trusty. Shall we take a drive and talk about it?

[Trusty]

Absolutely. Buckle up, smarty pants. It's time for another another whiff of science and history on who smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smart? And hey smarty parents. I know the struggle of wanting to create the best future for the children in your life. That's why I'm thrilled to share my experience with IXL learning. Recently, the 8 year old child of one of our main who smarted writers started struggling with math. They tried everything and felt helpless. Then I told them about our partner ixl and it changed everything. Iexcel is an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K to 12th grade. What sets it apart is how it adapts to each child's needs. His daughter loves the positive feedback and fun challenges. And the best part. IXL's research backed approach has made a world of difference in her confidence and her grades. It's like having a personal tutor, but at a fraction of the cost. A month of IXL costs less than one hour with a tutor. Even before our smarty family 20% discount. Don't let your child fall behind. Join the millions of families benefiting from IXL. Visit ixl.com smarted and get 20% off your membership. That's ixl.com smarted for 20% off. Give your child the gift of learning with IXL. Whoa. That guy's going a bit fast, don't you think?

[Dottie]

Just worry about your driving trusty and stay in your lane. We drive on the right side of the road. You keep inching towards the left.

[Trusty]

Right?

[Dottie]

No, the left. You want to be on the right.

[Trusty]

No, I meant you were right.

[Dottie]

No, you need to be right.

[Trusty]

Right.

[Dottie]

Right.

[Trusty]

Smartypants. True or false? More countries drive on the right side of the road than the left side of the road. The answer is true. 163 countries and territories drive on the right hand side of the road.

[Dottie]

While 76 countries and you drive on the left hand side.

[Trusty]

A moving over. A moving over. So why do most countries and territories, including the usa drive on the right while some places drive on the left?

[Dottie]

Well, first of all, the terms for this are left hand traffic and right hand traffic, or lht and rht. And the answer may come from ancient Rome. Back then it's believed they drove on the left side of the road. Of course, they didn't have cars in ancient Rome, so perhaps drove isn't the right word. They rode.

[Trusty]

What did they rode? Ride. What do you think, smarty pants? What do you think? Did the ancient Romans ride horses, donkeys? Or carts and chariots pulled by horses and donkeys? Well, the answer is all three.

[Dottie]

The reason we think they rode on the left side was so they could have their right hand free to hold a sword or other weapon. You know, in case they needed to attack someone approaching on the other side of the road.

[Trusty]

Yikes. Ancient Rome was scary.

[Dottie]

It certainly wasn't for the faint hearted. And since most people are right handed, being on the left side and having your right hand freed made the most sense.

[Trusty]

Well, no swords for me. Sorry.

[Dottie]

Of course before cars it was pretty common for there not to be even a left or right side of the road. You just rode your horse wherever you wanted. Even the middle.

[Trusty]

Really? The middle?

[Dottie]

Yes. Kind of like what you're doing now. Trusty, get right, Trusty.

[Trusty]

Sorry, sorry. But wait. How could you just ride your horse in the middle of the road? What if someone was coming the other way? Wouldn't you crash?

[Dottie]

Another excellent question. Luckily crashing wasn't too much of a risk. When it's just a few people on horses, you can just go around each other.

[Trusty]

Good day.

[Dottie]

The reason people eventually had to pick.

[Trusty]

A side was what, smarty pants? What caused the need to pick a side of the road. Here's a hint. Did you say traffic? That's right.

[Dottie]

Once the roads became congested with lots of traffic, especially with cars, people needed to pick a lane. That goes for you. Too trusty.

[Trusty]

Okay, so in ancient Rome, people likely rode on the left so they could keep their dominant right hand free to wield a weapon. And then through much of history, people rode horses where they felt like cause they had the space to do so. But when did we decide on left versus right?

[Dottie]

Well, one of the earliest records is from England in 1669. It was someone's job to stand at the end of London Bridge and make sure people crossing the bridge on a horse and carriage did so on the right side of the road. And by the right side I mean the left side, because it's England.

[Trusty]

So in 17th century London, there was finally enough traffic to worry about which side of the road to be on.

[Dottie]

Exactly. In fact, the 17th century is when the London taxi was first introduced, which by then was a horse drawn carriage. The hackney carriage we still know today as the famous black taxi. It would take another 87 years before the London Bridge act would of 1756 made it official. You had to drive on the left side of the road.

[Trusty]

Now we're talking, no more riding down the middle of the road. Including me. Sorry.

[Dottie]

Anyway, England wasn't the only place that made driving on the left side the law. In 18th century Ireland, if you didn't drive on the left, you had to pay a fine.

[Trusty]

I'm guessing it took some getting used to.

[Dottie]

Yes, I wish you would get used to it. Trustee.

[Trusty]

So wait, if England and Ireland drove on the left so early on, why does most of continental Europe drive on the right?

[Dottie]

To answer that question, let's travel to France.

[Trusty]

Where they drove on the right?

[Dottie]

No, where it was total chaos. Until 1921, people in France just did what they wanted.

[Trusty]

Wow, that sounds dangerous. But why?

[Dottie]

One belief is that Napoleon changed France from left hand traffic to right hand traffic after the French revolution ended in 1794. Another theory is that because Napoleon was left handed, he preferred to be on the right side of the road. Neither of these claims are verified. Fortunately in 1921 driving on the right side became law in France.

[Trusty]

Why did it take so long? Didn't they already have cars? By 1921 they did.

[Dottie]

But in 1858 there were only 350 cars in all of France. In 1910 there were 53,000. And by 1920 there were 330,000 cars in France. So you see why they had to.

[Trusty]

Make a rule makes sense. But what determines whether a country decides to drive on the left or right hand side?

[Dottie]

Well, often it was political. For example, Finland switched from left to right in 1858 because they were ruled by Russia and Russia preferred right. Other times it was practical. For example, all the countries that border yours drive on the right and you drive on the left. It becomes a little tricky when someone drives across the border. So Portugal switched to the right side in 1928, China switched to the right in 1946, and Sweden didn't switch to the right until 1967. Those are just a few examples.

[Trusty]

I see. But wait, you just said switch to as in they drove on one side of the road and then suddenly they decided to drive on the other side.

[Dottie]

That's right. In fact, in 1919, 104 countries or territories drove on the left and 104 drove on the right. Eventually, 34 lefties switched to the right.

[Trusty]

But how? What if you forget that tomorrow is the day to switch from left to right? Wouldn't there be like a bajillion car accidents on switcheroo day?

[Dottie]

Well, it does take some planning, and by that I mean a lot. Sweden is a great example of how to pull it off a massive switcheroo, as you called it.

[Trusty]

Cool. And we'll hear all about it right after this quick break. And a word from our sponsors. Hi, guys, it's trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace. And I need to tell you about their new design intelligence feature because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start, and no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions or offering downloads, they've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Hey, smarty. Parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit. And it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smartedfree to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smarted free and use code Smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. Green Chef the number one meal kit for eating well hey smarty parents, I know the struggle of wanting to create the best future for the children in your life. That's why I'm thrilled to share my experience with IXL learning. Recently, the 8 year old child of one of our main who Smarted writers started struggling with math. They tried everything and felt helpless. Then I told them about our partner IXL and it changed everything. IXCEL is an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K to 12th grade. What sets it apart is how it adapts to each child's needs. His daughter loves the positive feedback and fun challenges. And the best part? IXL's research backed approach has made a world of difference in her confidence and her grades. It's like having a personal tutor, but at a fraction of the cost. A month of IXL costs less than one hour with a tutor even before our smarty family 20% discount. Don't let your child fall behind. Join the millions of families benefiting from IXL. Visit ixl.com smarted and get 20% off your membership. That's ixl.com smarted for 20% off. Give your child the gift of learning with IXL. Now back to who smarted. OK smarty pants. True OR FALSE? In 1967, Sweden was the only country in continental Europe that still drove on the left. The answer is true.

[Dottie]

It's also one of the main reasons the switch happened. Sweden shares its borders with Finland and Norway, and Denmark is just across the channel. These countries have strong ties with each other and their citizens drive in and out of each other's countries every single day. So Sweden was creating a bit of a problem by being the only one of its neighbours to drive on the left. Another reason, and this is a little not so, is that even though Sweden drove on the left, 90% of their cars had steering wheels that were also on the left.

[Trusty]

Shouldn't be the opposite like in England, they drive on the left, but the steering wheel is on the right. And in America, we drive on the right side but the steering wheel is on the left.

[Dottie]

Exactly. That's how it should be. It's much easier this way. Which is also why Sweden had to switch. So the switch was a carefully orchestrated four year plan that began in 1963. Change of a day would be September 3, 1967. Signs were posted all over the country, pamphlets were handed out to educate people on the upcoming change, and even psychiatrists were consulted on how it should be done.

[Trusty]

Well played, Sweden.

[Dottie]

Of course, buses had to be redesigned to switch their doors to the opposite side. And pretty much every bus stop and traffic light in the country had to be moved.

[Trusty]

So what happened on the big day?

[Dottie]

To ensure a smooth transition, any non essential cars were banned from the roads. From 1am to 6am, only essential vehicles like the police and ambulances were allowed. Then at 4.50am, any vehicle on the road had to come to a complete stop and slowly move to the right side. And it worked. All the new traffic lights were unveiled and over a hundred thousand people across the country volunteered to direct traffic and help pedestrians.

[Trusty]

Very cool, smarty pants. True or false? There are some parts of the world where there is a border crossing where you have to switch from lht to rht. The answer, surprisingly, is true.

[Dottie]

Whoa. In South America, Guyana, which drives on the left, shares a border with Brazil, which drives on the right. And in Asia, Thailand drives on the left, but three of its border countries drives on the right. Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. And all they need to make the switch is a simple traffic light and very careful drivers like me. Between Macau and China, there is an elaborate, especially designed switchover road for getting people who drive in from Macau on the left to do a big loop de loop which spits them out on the China side on the right.

[Trusty]

Okay, like we said earlier, 163 countries and territories drive on the right and 76 drive on the left. But why does anyone still drive on the left?

[Dottie]

Almost all the ones that use left hand traffic do so for one of two reasons. Number one, many used to be part of the British Empire, such as India, Jamaica and Australia. So when these places were colonized, the British brought left hand traffic with them.

[Trusty]

And the other reason?

[Dottie]

Well, I'll name a few countries that drive on the left and you tell me if you can figure out what they all have in common.

[Trusty]

Ooh, you can play too, smarty pants.

[Dottie]

Ok, here we go. Cyprus, Japan, Malta and Indonesia.

[Trusty]

Hmm. Cyprus, Japan, Malta, Indonesia, Cyprus, Japan, Malta, Indonesia. Smartypants. Any ideas? What's that? Did someone say they're all islands?

[Dottie]

Excellent job, Trusty and clever, Smarties. Many island nations drive on the left because they never had the pressure from border countries to make the switch.

[Trusty]

Ah, because they have no border countries. They're islands.

[Dottie]

Bingo.

[Trusty]

Well, this was super interesting, Dottie, but I have a confession. I'm not actually taking my road test again tomorrow. I already have my license. I just wanted to drive around with you and learn why we drive on the right or left side of the road.

[Dottie]

Oh, that's very sweet, Trusty, but now I do need to get home.

[Trusty]

You got it. Make a left here.

[Dottie]

Right. No, I meant you were right about making a left trustee.

[Trusty]

Sorry. A big shout out to Sammy and Tommy Smarting with us in London, uk, where they drive on the left. We're so glad you love listening to who Smarted. And thanks for suggesting Alcatraz as topic for an interesting future episode. Keep up the good smarting, Smartypants. This episode Driving was written by Phil Mytank Jeremy, and voiced by Emma Wrongside Wilson and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh highway to Han who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max. Give me the keys, Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Slow Down Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Breakjax Davis. Whosmarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production. Who Smarted.