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.



Ministry of Interior Launches 'Ezz AlWatan' Event in Celebration of Saudi National Day

Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)
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Ministry of Interior Launches 'Ezz AlWatan' Event in Celebration of Saudi National Day

Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia marks National Day on September 23. (SPA)

The "Ezz AlWatan" events kicked off on Monday in Riyadh to mark the Kingdom’s 95th National Day.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).

Running until Tuesday, the program features a creative, dramatic, and military performance simulating security operations and showcasing advanced tactics and skills.

The event also boasts an exhibition highlighting the ministry's efforts, its security system, and the development of its services.


French Zoo Returns Poorly Panda and Partner to China

Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)
Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)
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French Zoo Returns Poorly Panda and Partner to China

Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)
Huan Huan ("happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby"), two Chinese pandas are seen in their enclosure at Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan central-western France, on January 17, 2012. (AFP)

Two pandas at a zoo in central France will return to China in November after the female was diagnosed with kidney failure, the park's director told AFP on Monday.

Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at the Beauval Zoo in 2012 as part of China's "panda diplomacy" program, which sees the black-and-white bears dispatched across the globe as soft-power ambassadors.

The two pandas, both 17, had been due to stay in France until January 2027 but they will return to the Chengdu panda sanctuary, said zoo director Rodolphe Delord, adding that the zoo had been in touch with the Chinese authorities.

"The female has kidney failure, a chronic disease common in ageing carnivores. We therefore prefer to transport her to China before her condition worsens," he told AFP, adding she still showed a good appetite and normal behavior.

Delord said Huan Huan and Yuan Zi were expected to return to China in November 2025 "so they can live out their retirement in peace".

The pair produced three cubs while in France -- the first pandas to do so in the country -- and became star attractions at the Beauval zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher.

The eldest of the offspring, Yuan Meng, left France in 2024, while twins born in 2021 are expected to remain at the Beauval zoo for the time being "to raise visitors' awareness of the need to protect this iconic species", Delord said.

The giant panda was downgraded last year from "endangered" to "vulnerable" on the global list of at-risk species.

Delord said he hoped to extend the zoo's partnership with China beyond 2027.

"And perhaps bring more pandas in the future," he added.

The Beauval Zoo welcomed some two million visitors in 2023, generating revenues of around 113 million euros ($133 million).


Makkah's Parks, Gardens Transformed for National Day Celebrations

Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA
Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA
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Makkah's Parks, Gardens Transformed for National Day Celebrations

Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA
Efforts are being exerted to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment for Saudi National Day- SPA

Holy Makkah Municipality announced the completion of preparations across public parks and gardens in Makkah to receive residents and visitors during the 95th National Day celebrations.

According to SPA, technical teams have been formed to carry out maintenance and inspections of facilities, playgrounds, and rides to ensure they are fully ready to welcome guests.

The municipality emphasized its commitment to providing high-quality services for the residents and visitors by overseeing the readiness of public spaces and presenting them in a manner that reflects the city’s distinguished image.

The efforts aim to enable visitors to enjoy the celebrations in a safe, attractive, and fully serviced environment.

Preparations included equipping seating areas, restrooms, and other amenities, in addition to providing expansive green spaces for leisure and recreation.

Makkah is home to more than 290 public parks of various sizes, offering a wide range of children’s playgrounds, as well as over 11 walkways with a total length of 16,410 meters.

The city also features football, volleyball, and tennis courts, in addition to public squares, shaded seating areas, fountains, walking tracks, and sports equipment for both children and adults.