[alfa] Re: why they drive on the left...

[Paul Witek <pwitek@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Actually, I thought the major flaw in the theory was that it does 
>nothing to explain why the US drives on the right.  The US was 
>originally a British colony, and Napoleon never conquered it, so 
>according to the aforementioned theory, you lot should be driving 
>on the left side of the road still.  

The reason I've heard why the US drives on the right is this - 

Back in the day, when wagons were drawn by a team of horses, the driver would hold the reins in his right hand - because most people are righthanded.  In order for the reins to remain close to the centerline of the wagon, the driver sat on the left.

With the driver sitting on the left, it was a good idea for wagons to pass to the right of oncoming traffic, so that the driver could keep watch and make sure the hubs of the wheels - which stuck out a good distance beyond the wheel - didn't hit those on the oncoming wagon.

It's an explanation that's believable - and more importantly, it passes the common-sense test.  

- Paul Witek


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