Unraveling the Road Divide
The Origins of Road Travel: In ancient times, road travel was vastly different, with horse-drawn carriages dominating the landscape. The preference for the left side of the road stemmed from the practicalities of wielding swords and mounting horses, shaping early road customs.
The Rise of Large Wagons: By the late 1700s, large wagons became the norm for transporting goods, particularly in France and the United States. The design of these wagons, with drivers perched on the rear left horse, led to a shift towards right-side driving for convenience.
Driving Conventions Across the Channel: While France embraced right-side driving, the British Government, under various acts, cemented the tradition of driving on the left side of the road. This distinction persisted even as other nations adopted alternative practices.
Colonial Influence: Through colonization, the British and French spread their driving customs to their occupied territories, shaping road rules in places like Australia, New Zealand, and India (left-side driving) and Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal (right-side driving).
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Author: awestories24.com