When did Sweden switch to driving on the right side of the road?

3 September 1967
Swedes began cautiously driving on the right-hand side of roads around the country at precisely 5am on 3 September 1967, following a radio countdown.

Why did Europe switch to driving on the right?

Traffic shifted to the right so drivers could easily avoid collisions. Eventually, with the rise of the automobile and increase in global traffic, many countries switched to the right to fit in with neighbors — including Samoa, which just switched from the left in 2009.

When did Sweden go left-hand drive?

September 3, 1967
On Sunday, September 3, 1967, Sweden changed from driving on the left-hand side of the road to driving on the right.

Why did the British decide to drive on the left side of the road?

Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.

Why did Sweden changed from driving on the left?

Sweden initiated the driving change in part because its neighbors already drove on the right side of the road. Many members of the Swedish parliament also argued that the left-hand vehicles Swedes drove had caused too many head-on collisions.

Why does Canada not drive on the left?

Canada abandoned the left side of the road in the 1920s to facilitate traffic to and from the United States. In 1967, meanwhile, the government of Sweden spent around $120 million preparing its citizens to begin driving on the right.

Why did Sweden drive on the left?

Why do the Japanese drive on the left?

Following Japan’s defeat during World War II, the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa came under American rule, which meant that the island was required to drive on the right. In 1978 once the area was returned to Japan, the drivers also returned to the left side of the road.

Why did Sweden switch to right hand drive?

Why driving on the left is better?

Microgrids – the future of energy management There’s a reason for this. Most people are right-handed, so by driving on the left, that’d place their stronger hand in the best position to greet those coming the other way, or whack them with a sword, as seemed most appropriate.

Did the US ever drive on the left?

Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving. Such vehicles remained in common use until 1915, and the 1908 Model T was the first of Ford’s cars to feature a left-side driving position.

Why does India drive on the right?

Left-hand driving was made mandatory in Britain in 1835. Countries which were part of the British Empire followed suit. This is why to this very day, India, Australasia and the former British colonies in Africa go left. It wasn’t until Napoleon conquered the Netherlands that the Dutch started driving on the right.

When did Sweden switch sides of the road to the left?

Dagen H, the day Sweden switched sides of the road, 1967. Sweden had, nevertheless, maintained a dominant left-hand traffic system since the mid 18th century. Initially, the usage of American cars (with drivers positioned on the left side of the vehicle) in left-hand traffic was advantageous to early drivers.

Why is Sweden the only country with left-hand drive?

At the time, Sweden was the only country in the vicinity with left-hand driving, creating traffic flow inconsistencies with neighbors Norway and Finland. Most Swedes drove left-hand drive vehicles like we have here in the States, making the original traffic arrangement a bit awkward as far as visibility.

Why did Sweden move to the right in traffic flow?

Like the country’s recent political drifting, the rightward change in traffic flow was driven largely by economic and border issues. At the time, Sweden was the only country in the vicinity with left-hand driving, creating traffic flow inconsistencies with neighbors Norway and Finland.

What is the handh law in Sweden?

H stands for Högertrafikomläggningen, or the Right-Hand Traffic Diversion. On Sunday, September 3, 1967, Sweden changed from driving on the left-hand side of the road to driving on the right. As you might imagine, this switch was anything but easy.