More things to divert myself with, when I'm ill...

[lethargic_man]

Ever wondered when Britain started driving on the left (or your own country started driving on whichever side it drives on)? It struck me a while back that this must antedate the advent of the motor car by quite a long way. So, this morning, I googled, and found out. (Though the less entertaining Wikipedia article points out this site contains a few myths.)

Comments

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I've often just what happens on the night of a changeover, if you happen to be driving when the rules change. Or if your clock is out by a minute compared with the one in the car coming the other way.

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

*snort* According to the above article, the following happened in Sweden:

All traffic with private motor-driven vehicles was prohibited four hours before and one hour after the conversion, in order to be able to rearrange all traffic signs. Even the army was called in to help. Also a very low speed limit was applied, which was raised in a number of steps. The whole process took about a month.

[snjstar.livejournal.com]

I have heard about that also, how confusing.

[liv]

Swedish people will often boast about what a triumph of effective bureaucracy that switchover was. Seriously, it's something they get really patriotic about. They will also proudly tell you that the accident rate fell dramatically in the few months immediately after the transition period, probably because the unfamiliarity made people drive more carefully.

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

Maybe places like Israel and Egypt should switch to driving on the left then. And then back again... a few times.

[snjstar.livejournal.com]

LOL!

[curious-reader.livejournal.com]

I am not a driver but my parents are. My Dad is the more confident driver. He usually drives very fast but as soon as he comes over with his car to the British Island he drives extremely carefully as he is not used to left-handed traffic. The car is a German car made for right handed traffic. That is even more confusing.
When I went back and forth I was confused which way to watch out for cars. I have in general a problem with left and right but I get used to look into a certain direction if I stay in the same country.

[curious-reader.livejournal.com]

I just read the other link.
Practice in your own country? Are they nuts?

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

<rolls eyes> Have you never heard of a sense of humour?