VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Right Hand Drive

Noticing the right-hand drive 37 from S.A. that Steve has posted, I was wondering three things:

First: What South American countries uses right hand drive. Does Brazil?

Second: What countires, world-wide, use right-hand drive? That is, besides England, Australia, Thialand and India.

Third: Why don't those countries get in step with the rest of the world and switch to left-hand drive?

Charlie

It's sorta like us and our not wanting to go to the metric system. We just don't want to. It would be a huge change for us. Don't get me wrong ,I'm one of the supporters of keeping the system the way it is now. But really..the entire world (almost) is on the metric system, you know what I mean? We are slowly changing ,but it will take a long time for the older generation finally gives in.

I believe Japan is also RHD. The older generation needs to die off as they will never give in to universal metricification.

Several African countries are RHD. South Africa is probably the largest one, but also several in East Africa such as Kenya where I am now living.

Most of the cars now on Kenyan roads are from Japan (imported used), but prior to WWII there were a good number of British and American cars here.

I own two RHD 1939 Chevs that were in Kenya from new (one exported from USA and one from Canada). I also had a 1940 RHD Chev that was assembled in South Africa (likely from a Canadian export kit). Still have many parts from it as I bought it for part to help with the '39 restoration.

By the way, I'm trying to make one good '39 from the two. I've nearly completed the chassis restoration (from bare frame up) and just got the engine running last weekend - now on to the body work. Old parts are very hard to find here, but that is just part of the fun.

Argentina was RHD because I bought a model A touring from there and converted it many years ago

I think some european countries are RHD as a German friend mentioned changing from the right hand side of the road to left hand side at country borders along the autobahn and the number of accidents that caused.
Tony

Charlie

I drove for 3 years in England as a student (many decades ago) It took me a few months to get used to it.I often found myself driving on the wrong side of the road it was just luck that I never had an accident.I went back home and had the problem the other...way round.
Did you ever count all the traffic signs,lights and all junctions that are made in away that you only can turn if you drive on the left hand of the road?
It should be a big problem changing it all even in a small village in one day.what should all the older confused drivers (...like me)do?what should it cost.What should a city or a country cost?
Just my thoughts why they do not change to left hand drive.
Changing to Metric is a little easier it will only cost a few decades of confusion.

Jianis

All the countries that Drive on the left (RHD)
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas, The
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bermuda
Bhutan
Botswana
Brunei
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Cook Islands
Cyprus
Dominica
East Timor
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Fiji
Grenada
Guernsey
Guyana
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Macau
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Man, Isle of
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Zealand
Niue
Norfolk Island
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Swaziland
Tanzania
Thailand
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
Virgin Islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe

The story I was told as a youngster is it all goes back to what side of the road the troops used to march on, and were talking about the Napoleonic and Your War of Independance days.

For example, in Europe pedestrians walk on the left hand side of the pavement, and in OZ the right hand side.

Regards

Ray

not a country, but i took a tour of a gold mine in nevada,they drive on the left.driver cant see the soulder in a 250 ton haul truck.when we started out i didn't notice we were on the left but when a truck came around the corner,i noticed he was where i thought we shoul be.

What about the story that wagons and other animal drawn vehicles, where the driver was on the right side. He was there so he could use his whip to control the animals. This custom was a natural for the new engine powered conveyances.

"For example, in Europe pedestrians walk on the left hand side of the pavement, and in OZ the right hand side."

Ray,

Do I detect a bit of snootery in that OZ comment. Well, speaking for all of up here in the northern hemesphere, who don't take to kindly to comments about our sanity, let me clear the record. I am familar with the song, "Fields of Athenry." Accordingly, I know your Aussie roots. A-stealing "carn" will get you a free ticket to Botany Bay. Uh huh. And, wise-cracking at us "Tea Partiers" may just get a visit from some flying monkeys. Oh, yeah. That oughta learn ya! (Grin, of course)

Best,
Charlie

BTW: I love that song, F of A. Great song and it pulls on the heart strings.

Ray, as you say coach drivers sat on the RH side because of the whip hand. I have also read that in the U.S. with long distances they used teams of horses to pull wagons. The drivers did not sit on the wagon but actually rode a lead horse. Of course you mount a horse from the left so it was the left front horse that was ridden. When they came across another wagon coming the other way they moved over to the right to pass.
Obviously the two methods worked.The early cars apparently used one or another until Henry Ford decided to go LH and he made most of the cars and the others followed. England and colonies just kept on with RH.
Actually it is not a big problem. For a long time you could not register a LH car in some Australian states at all, while in others you could but you had to have a big warning sign ;"LH DRIVE". Not long ago this was challenged and the response was "It's dangerous". They then requested the statistics to prove the statement. Of course there were no statistics nor any evidence that it was dangerous. You can now register a LH car easily.
The major problem comes with pedestrian visitors from overseas. They step out into the traffic looking the wrong way.
It was apparently a big problem during the Sydney Olympics.

Good Call Terry,

Once again this site is educational and always good for a laugh. Some ten years ago when I went to Europe, I nearly stepped in front of several cars, as I looked to my right instead of the left. Could it be the poor judgement coming from convict stock, or maybe the British heritage. Now where did the pilgrims come from again? I remember those Left Hand drive signs, they were more of a distraction than the car.
If I understand the current law in Victoria AUS correctly, LHD cars over 15 years old can be registered and driven with no identification, and newer cars require conversion.

Regards

Ray

Maybe Chevgene can tell us why they chose metric threads for the sparkplugs. Cannot register a LHD car here after 2004.

Ray
I dont know the Vic laws but here in NSW if a LHD is 25 years old there is no problems with rego but less than 25 needs to be converted. The LHD notice was required until about 10 years ago but now not required.
The LHD does need to be noted with the authorities and that is done at the initial inspection.
Tony