Damon Mcknight
Driving on the correct side of the road is a common concern for travellers, especially those who plan on renting a car. In Australia, vehicles use the left side of the road, while the driver sits on the right side of the car. This is the opposite of right-hand driving, where the driver sits on the left side of the car and drives on the right side of the road, which is the standard for most countries around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Which side of the road do people drive on in Australia? | Left |
| Which side of the car is the driver on? | Right |
| Which side of the road should you give way to at intersections and roundabouts? | Right |
| Which side of the road should you give way to when on a roundabout? | Right, unless vehicles are not yet on the roundabout |
| When should you indicate when on a roundabout? | When approaching the roundabout and when passing the exit before the one you will use |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's left-hand traffic
Australia has left-hand traffic, which means that vehicles drive on the left side of the road. This is a trend that is in the minority globally, with approximately two-thirds of the world's population driving on the right side of the road. Left-hand traffic is, however, a common practice among former British colonies, including Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and several others.
The tradition of left-hand traffic in Australia can be traced back to British influence. In medieval times, travellers in what is now the United Kingdom preferred to pass oncoming traffic on the left to keep their right hand, usually the dominant one, free for defence against potential threats. This custom was formalised in the 18th century when the British government officially regulated left-side driving.
There are several legends that attempt to explain the origins of left-hand traffic. One theory suggests that most people are right-handed, so they naturally tend to walk on the right side of the road. Another idea relates to horse riding; when leading a horse, the tradition is to use the right hand, so people would walk on the right to keep their horses separate. A third theory involves sword fighting; since swords are typically held in the right hand, people needed to walk on the left to ensure they could defend themselves effectively.
Adhering to left-hand traffic rules can be challenging for foreign drivers visiting Australia. It is recommended that travellers arriving in Australia avoid driving immediately after a long flight to minimise the risk of accidents caused by jet lag and fatigue. Instead, it is advisable to familiarise oneself with the local driving rules and take time to adjust to the left-hand traffic system before getting behind the wheel.
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Driving tips for tourists
Australia drives on the left side of the road, which can be confusing for visitors from countries where people drive on the right side. Here are some tips for tourists planning to drive in Australia:
Planning and Preparation
- If you're not used to driving on the left, consider hiring a car with automatic transmission so you'll have one less thing to get used to.
- Let someone know about your road trip. Inform the local tourist office, the local police, or the main road officers.
- Have a travel distance map. Distances are in kilometres, and each field will show you the average time for driving those distances.
- Plan several breaks. It's critical to plan many stops when driving in Australia to avoid burnout. Traffic may be almost non-existent in rural areas, but long hours behind the wheel and remoteness make the long-distance drive challenging.
- Never drive if you're tired or drowsy. Driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Don't drive at night, dawn, or dusk. It is illegal to drive at night in Australia.
- Carry a first aid kit, tools, and necessary car accessories such as an air compressor.
- If you're planning to drive in a remote area, carry a spare container of fuel.
- If you're using your phone for navigation, make sure you have a hands-free cradle for it.
On the Road
- Take it easy, drive slowly, and drive during the daytime if possible.
- Learn the local customs and laws. Aussies rarely use their car horn, except for emergencies. It's also customary to give a small wave to say thanks if someone lets you into a gap in traffic or moves over to let you pass on a country road. It's expected that you'll wave back if they help you out.
- Be extra careful when approaching roundabouts and coming out of one-way streets. Give way to the right at roundabouts, and remember to indicate when leaving the roundabout.
- Don't speed. Highway police are very strict about enforcing speed limits, and hidden speed cameras are widely used.
- Be aware of toll roads. Some freeways, bridges, and tunnels in or near Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney require payment of tolls, and in some cases, these can only be paid electronically with a transponder fitted inside the car.
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The history of left-hand traffic
In Australia, vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. This is known as left-hand traffic (LHT) and is practised in around 75 countries, including many former British colonies such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India.
Ancient Times
Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancient Romans may have driven their carts and chariots on the left side of the road. This practice may have been influenced by the fact that most people are right-handed and would naturally want to keep their right hand free for greetings or self-defence.
17th Century
In 1669, London faced a traffic problem due to the high volume of trade passing over London Bridge. To regulate traffic, a new position was created for someone to direct carts coming from London to one side of the bridge and incoming traffic to the other side. This eventually led to the first written law outlining left-hand traffic in London.
18th Century
During the late 18th century, right-hand traffic started to become more common in the United States due to the use of large freight wagons pulled by multiple horses. Without a dedicated driver's seat, the person controlling the horses would sit on the left rear horse and hold the whip in their right hand, preferring to drive on the right for better visibility during overtakes.
19th Century
In 1835, left-hand traffic became standardised in Britain through government measures. This influenced many of its colonies, including Australia, to adopt left-hand traffic as well. Meanwhile, other countries like France favoured driving on the right, impacting their colonies' driving practices.
20th Century
The mass production of automobiles influenced driving practices globally. Henry Ford's Model T, with its left-positioned steering wheel, contributed to the adoption of right-hand traffic in the United States. Some countries, like Canada and Sweden, switched from left-hand to right-hand traffic to align with their neighbouring countries.
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Countries that drive on the left
Australia is one of the countries that drive on the left side of the road. In fact, about a quarter of all countries around the world drive on the left, with the remaining majority adopting right-hand traffic.
Many countries that drive on the left today were once part of the British Empire. Some of these countries include South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas. There are only four European nations that drive on the left, all of which are islands: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus.
Japan also drives on the left, despite not being a former British colony. This is partially due to British influence. Before cars were invented, large wagons pulled by teams of horses were used to transport goods across great distances. These wagons had no driver's seat, so the driver sat on the left-most horse and held the whip in their right hand. Because of where they sat, they preferred to drive on the right so they could better see when other wagons overtook them. This preference for driving on the right stuck, and that is why the US drives on the right today.
Driving on the left can be intimidating for those used to driving on the right, but it is possible to adjust quickly. Some tips for driving on the left include following the flow of traffic, concentrating when making turns on country roads, focusing on turning into the left-most lane, and passing on the right when on a multi-lane highway.
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Why some countries drive on the right
In Australia, vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
Now, onto why some countries drive on the right.
Right-hand traffic, or right-hand driving, is the practice of driving on the right side of the road. This is the standard followed by approximately two-thirds of the global population, or 165 countries and territories. The dominance of right-hand driving can be attributed to a variety of historical, cultural, and practical factors, some of which are outlined below.
Historical and Cultural Factors
One of the earliest recorded preferences for right-hand traffic is said to have been decreed by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, directing pilgrims to keep to the right. However, there is no documented evidence to support this claim. Another influential figure often associated with the adoption of right-hand traffic is Napoleon. It is said that he chose to enforce right-hand traffic in France and the countries he conquered after the French Revolution, but scholars have found no evidence to support this story.
Practical Reasons
The preference for right-hand traffic is also influenced by practical considerations. Historically, many wagon drivers sat on the left-most horse and held the reins in their right hand. As a result, they preferred to drive on the right to better see when other wagons were overtaking them. Additionally, when leading horses, the tradition is to lead them with the right hand, so people would naturally walk on the right side of the road to keep their horses separate.
Standardisation and Influence
The standardisation of right-hand traffic in certain countries influenced their neighbouring nations to follow suit. For example, the United States drives on the right, and this preference was adopted by most vehicles in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the British Virgin Islands due to the importation of left-hand drive vehicles from the US. Similarly, some parts of Canada that were previously controlled by the French, such as Quebec and Ontario, drove on the right, while territories occupied by the English kept left. Over time, the Canadian provinces switched to right-hand traffic to conform with the rest of Canada and the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians drive on the left side of the road.
Australia is a former British colony, and the British drive on the left side of the road—a practice that dates back to medieval times.
Driving on the opposite side of the road than what you are used to can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you prepare for this transition:
- Do not drive as soon as you land if you are travelling to Australia by plane. Jet lag and fatigue can make the change much more difficult and increase the chance of an accident.
- Learn where to line up the driver's side lane line or curb on the hood of your car.
- Do not speed. There are a lot of speed cameras in Australia.
- Remember to look both ways twice when stepping off the kerb onto the road.
