WHY do we drive on the left (or right)?

Explore the world of driving norms with REV. Why does roughly 35% of the global population drive on the left side of the road? Discover the historical influences, from ancient customs to colonial legacies. From Napoleon to Hitler, and even camels in Pakistan, we shed light on why driving sides matter. Join us as we navigate the history of lefts, rights, and the quest for road safety.

Report: Vaishali Dinakaran
Editing: Kirsten Jungclaus

00:00 - Introduction to Driving Sides
01:11 - Samoa switches driving sides in 2009
02:26 - The Ancient Romans travelled on the left
03:20 - Influence of the Vatican
03:50 - The London Bridge Act
04:14 - America switches sides
04:54 - Conestoga Wagons
05:23 - French Revolution and switching sides
06:06 - Napoleon's influence
06:40 - Henry Ford and the Ford Model T
07:04 - Canada decides to go fully right
07:38 - Hitler's influence on keeping right
08:07 - Dagen-H in Sweden
09:54 - Camels botch Pakistan's driving side switch?
10:22 - Is driving on the left or the right side safer?
11:12 - Okinawa's 1978 driving swap
11:36 - Other countries that switched over
11:49 - Myanmar and General Ne Win

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