Austria's Left-Hand Driving History: A Surprising Shift

Driving on the left or right varies across the world, and there are several reasons for this. In the past, almost everyone drove on the left, as this was the most sensible option for violent societies. However, in the late 1700s, teamsters in France and the US began hauling products in big wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. As the driver sat on the left rear horse, they wanted oncoming wagons to pass on the left, so they kept their wagon to the right. In Russia, in 1709, the Danish envoy under Tsar Peter the Great noted that traffic passed on the right, and in 1752, Empress Elizabeth made this official. In Europe, Pope Boniface VIII instructed pilgrims to keep to the left in 1300. In the 1800s, Napoleon's conquests spread driving on the right to the Low Countries, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, and parts of Spain and Italy. The states that resisted Napoleon, such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, continued driving on the left. After the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved, the successor nations gradually converted to right-hand drive. In Austria, from 1805 to 1939, half the country drove on the left, and the other half, which had been invaded by Napoleon, drove on the right.

Austria's shift from left to right

Austria's transition from driving on the left to the right is a fascinating tale that spans centuries and involves political upheaval, the rise and fall of empires, and the ambitions of iconic historical figures like Napoleon and Hitler. Here's a detailed account of this intriguing episode in Austrian history.

The Origins: Resistance to Napoleon

The story begins with the proud resistance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Napoleon's armies during his European conquests. While Napoleon imposed right-hand drive in the countries he conquered, the Austro-Hungarian Empire remained unyielding, choosing to drive on the left as a symbol of defiance against Bonaparte and his forces. This political statement set the stage for the divided driving habits within Austria for years to come.

A Divided Country: 1805-1939

From 1805 to 1939, Austria was a country literally divided by its driving preferences. The dividing line was clear: the western regions invaded by Napoleon, such as Vorarlberg, drove on the right, while the unconquered eastern regions continued to drive on the left. This unusual situation caused confusion for travellers crossing internal borders, but it persisted for decades due to the strong resistance to change in both halves of the country.

The Impact of World Wars

The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I and the subsequent emergence of successor nations gradually led to a shift towards right-hand drive in the region. However, it was the events of World War II that played a pivotal role in Austria's final transition.

Hitler's Decree: 1938

In 1938, when Germany annexed Austria, Adolf Hitler ordered the remaining parts of Austria that were still driving on the left to switch to the right overnight. This abrupt change caused chaos, with motorists struggling to navigate due to obscured road signs, and trams unable to adapt immediately. It took several months for the shift to be fully implemented, and it became permanent.

A Unified Driving Culture: 1939 Onwards

With the change enforced by Hitler, Austria finally achieved a unified driving culture, with all nine states driving on the right-hand side. This not only eased internal travel within the country but also facilitated smoother border crossings with neighbouring countries, all of which drove on the right.

Legacy and Modern-Day Austria

While Austria's driving habits are now consistent across the country, remnants of its left-hand driving past can still be spotted. For example, the Wiener Schnellbahn still retains guidance systems, entrances, and tracks designed for left-hand traffic. Today, Austria's roads are safely navigated by motorists adhering to the right-hand drive convention, a result of historical forces that shaped the country's infrastructure and transportation system.

The role of Napoleon

Napoleon ordered his armies to use the right-hand side of the road to avoid congestion during military manoeuvres. The nations that resisted Napoleon's invasion, including Britain, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, and Portugal, generally continued to drive on the left.

In Austria, from 1805 to 1939, half the country drove on the left, while the other half, the area invaded by Napoleon, drove on the right. The dividing line was precisely the border up to which Napoleon had conquered in 1805.

Napoleon's influence also extended to the colonies of the nations he conquered. For example, the Dutch colony of Indonesia retained the convention of driving on the left even after Napoleon changed the Netherlands to driving on the right.

The political and social impact of Napoleon's conquests played a role in determining which side of the road was driven on, with the right-hand side seen as a symbol of revolutionary ideals and a rejection of the old conservative world.

The role of Hitler

Hitler's decision to change the side of the road in Austria was not arbitrary. It was a symbolic act, demonstrating the power of the new regime and placing Nazi Germany diametrically opposed to the old conservative world order. This political motivation was also evident in Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and Hungary in 1944, where he similarly imposed right-hand driving.

Hitler's actions built upon the legacy of Napoleon, who had previously invaded parts of Austria and imposed right-hand driving in those regions. The border between the areas of Austria that drove on the left and those that drove on the right until 1938 was precisely the border until which Napoleon had conquered in 1805. Thus, the shift from left- to right-hand driving in Austria was influenced by both Napoleon and Hitler, each of whom left their mark on the country's driving culture.

After World War II, Sweden was the last country in continental Europe to switch from left- to right-hand driving, which it did in 1967 to align with its neighbouring countries.

Austria's neighbours

Germany shares an 801km (498mi) border with Austria to the north. The two countries have close economic ties, with trade between them accounting for more than half of Austria's trade flows.

The Czech Republic borders Austria to the north, with a 402km (250mi) border. The two countries have close relations, as evidenced by their cooperation in the "Central Five", a regional cooperation format between Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Slovakia shares a 105km (65mi) border with Austria to the north. Austria's exports to Central and Eastern Europe, including Slovakia, have nearly tripled since 2004.

Hungary is located to the east of Austria, with a 331km (206mi) border. The two countries have a history of economic interrelations, and Hungary is one of Austria's closest neighbours.

Slovenia borders Austria to the south, with a 330km (210mi) border. The Semmering Pass in Lower Austria provides a connection to the Mürz and Mur valleys in Slovenia.

Italy is located to the south of Austria, with a 404km (251mi) border. The Brenner Pass in Tyrol, Austria, is an important pass for transit between the two countries and provides a direct route between northern Italy and Germany.

Switzerland shares a 158km (98mi) border with Austria to the west. As a non-EU member state, Switzerland's relations with the EU, including Austria, are governed by a comprehensive set of agreements.

Liechtenstein is a principality located to the west of Austria, with a 34km (21mi) border. As a non-EU member, Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).

The legacy of left-hand driving in Austria

Austria's history of left-hand driving is a fascinating one, with the country's shift from left to right-hand driving influenced by political changes, the rise and fall of empires, and the conquests of Napoleon and Hitler. From 1805 to 1939, Austria presented a unique situation, with half the country driving on the left and the other half on the right.

The story of Austria's driving habits is deeply intertwined with its historical context. The custom of driving on the left can be traced back to the resistance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire against Napoleon and his army. The Empire mandated left-hand traffic as a symbol of defiance against French rule, which had imposed right-hand driving on conquered nations. This led to a divide in Austria, with the western state of Vorarlberg, invaded by Napoleon, adopting right-hand driving, while the unconquered regions remained on the left.

The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I further complicated the situation. The successor nations gradually transitioned to right-hand driving, but this process took place over an extended period. It wasn't until 1938, when Germany invaded and annexed Austria, that Vienna finally switched to right-hand driving. Adolf Hitler, invading his homeland, ordered the remaining parts of Austria to switch from left to right overnight, creating chaos on the roads.

Even today, remnants of left-hand driving can still be spotted in Austria. The Wiener Schnellbahn, for instance, retains guidance systems, entrances, and tracks designed for left-hand traffic. Austria's unique history serves as a reminder of how political and social forces shape something as seemingly mundane as the side of the road we drive on.

The shift from left to right-hand driving in Austria was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader trend across Europe. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, teamsters in France and the United States began hauling large wagons with multiple horses. As the driver sat on the left rear horse, they naturally kept to the right to ensure a clear view of oncoming wagons. This gradually led to the adoption of right-hand driving in these regions.

Additionally, the French Revolution played a significant role in promoting right-hand travel. Before the Revolution, aristocrats travelled on the left, forcing everyone else to the right. However, after the storming of the Bastille, aristocrats chose to keep a low profile and joined the peasants on the right, further solidifying the shift to right-hand driving. Napoleon's conquests then spread this trend across Europe, with conquered nations adopting right-hand driving while those that resisted, such as Britain, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Portugal, continued driving on the left.

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