Why Do They Drive on the Left in the UK ?

'There are no plans to switch to driving on the right, the Department for Transport said.'
'The convention of driving on the left is thought to date back to Roman times.'

Photos via Getty Images
'There are no plans to switch to driving on the right, the Department for Transport said.' 'The convention of driving on the left is thought to date back to Roman times.' Photos via Getty Images
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Why Do They Drive on the Left in the UK ?

'There are no plans to switch to driving on the right, the Department for Transport said.'
'The convention of driving on the left is thought to date back to Roman times.'

Photos via Getty Images
'There are no plans to switch to driving on the right, the Department for Transport said.' 'The convention of driving on the left is thought to date back to Roman times.' Photos via Getty Images

Many people who visit the United Kingdom wonder why do people there drive on the left.

Gareth Edmunds, 59, from Bristol, said his theory is that it's something to do with times gone by when if you met a stranger on the road you'd pass on the left so your weapon arm was on their side. He also agrees with Stephen Laing, curator of the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire who believes that theory dates back to Roman times.

"Most people are right handed, naturally mount a horse from the left and so need their right hand free for combat," he elaborates.

"Roman armies marched on the left hand side of the carriageway and this is a convention that stayed."

Motoring author Giles Chapman said Britain's Highway Act of 1835 enshrined driving on the left in law for this country and its colonies.

"The rule was exported, for example, to Japan, where British engineers planned its railways to drive on the left, leading to a similar edict for road vehicles," BBC reported.

Richard Mace, 63, who lives near Chatham in the south-east of England, said he had always been curious as to why they drive on the right in the US.

"The reason I have been given goes back to when wagons were drawn by oxen," he said. He could be on the right track.

In the late 1700s wagons pulled by horses arranged in pairs became increasingly popular, Fraser McAlpine wrote for BBC America.

The driver sat on the back of the rear left-hand horse, to whip the others right handed.

The best way for one wagon to pass another without banging wheels was the right hand side of the road, according to McAlpine.

The government examined such a plan in 1969, two years after Sweden switched to driving on the right, according to BBC. Its report rejected the idea on grounds of safety and costs.

In 1969, the financial burden of making the switch was calculated by the government to be £264m.

That equates to about £4bn in today's money. But given the huge advances in infrastructure since 1969 this would now be an extremely conservative estimate.

Stephen Laing, curator at the British Motor Museum, said he could not see Britain swapping sides.

"I think we are kind of set in our ways," he said. "The infrastructure is built around driving on the left hand side. I can't really see that changing in the future."

The Department for Transport said: "We do not have a policy on this because it's not something we are interested in at this time.



Jeddah’s City Walk Reopens with Expanded Entertainment Experience

Jeddah’s City Walk reopens with expanded entertainment experience. (SPA)
Jeddah’s City Walk reopens with expanded entertainment experience. (SPA)
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Jeddah’s City Walk Reopens with Expanded Entertainment Experience

Jeddah’s City Walk reopens with expanded entertainment experience. (SPA)
Jeddah’s City Walk reopens with expanded entertainment experience. (SPA)

The City Walk zone in Jeddah reopened on Wednesday, offering a wide array of entertainment options, interactive experiences, and family-friendly activities as part of this year’s Jeddah Season.
Spanning more than 281,000 square meters, the zone features several themed areas, including Cairo Nights, Wonder Wall, The Garden, Adventure Land, and Horror Village. It also includes 77 retail outlets, 65 restaurants and cafes, and 81 games, along with 10 immersive experiences and a lineup of theatrical and musical performances, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.
Organizers say this year’s edition of the City Walk introduces a refreshed layout with new interactive zones and expanded experiences, such as horror houses and adventure-themed attractions designed for all age groups.
The City Walk aims to showcase Jeddah’s cultural vibrancy through its culinary offerings and entertainment options, while reflecting the zone’s evolving identity as a leading destination for regional tourism.
Jeddah Season continues to position Jeddah—known as the Bride of the Red Sea—as a hub that blends culture, sports, and entertainment. The event features first-time attractions and highlights Jeddah’s rich history. Organizers aim to enhance Jeddah’s regional standing, attract local and international visitors, stimulate tourism, and support economic growth through job creation and urban development.