Lexi Webster
Australia is one of the few countries where cars are right-hand drive, meaning the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle, and traffic flows on the left side of the road. This is in contrast to most countries, which have left-hand drive cars and drive on the right side of the road. Australia's left-hand traffic laws can be traced back to its history as a British colony, and the belief that having the driver in the centre of the road is safer. While this setup may be challenging for visitors, it is a matter of what one is used to, and with practice and awareness, driving on the left side of the road can become instinctive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Drive on | Left-hand side |
| Steering wheel | Right-hand side |
| Traffic | Left-hand |
| Roundabouts | Rotate to the left |
| Exits on roundabouts | Left |
| Turning right at an intersection | Need to cross the intersection |
| Traffic lights at an intersection | Need to wait for the right-hand arrow to turn green |
| Intersections with stop signs | Need to give way to cars on the right |
| Pedestrian crossing | Check left, then right |
| Indicator | Could be on the left or right of the steering wheel depending on the make of the car |
| Windscreen mirror | Left |
| Percentage of the world's population driving on the left | 34% |
| Number of countries driving on the left | 75 |
| Number of countries driving on the right | 165 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's colonial past
Australia's adherence to right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles is a direct result of its colonial past. Australia was a British colony, and the British, along with most of their former colonies, drive on the left side of the road. This tradition of driving on the left, also known as left-hand traffic (LHT), was introduced to Australia by the British during their colonial rule.
The tradition of driving on the left in Australia dates back to the early days of the colony of New South Wales. As early as 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie introduced a keep-left regulation in the colony, which has persisted to the present. This regulation was in line with the conventions of the mother country, Great Britain, which spread its empirical influence during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
It is worth noting that the tradition of driving on a particular side of the road is not solely due to colonial influence. For example, Sweden and Iceland, which were not British colonies, previously used LHT but switched to right-hand traffic (RHT) in the 1960s. Similarly, Samoa, a former German colony, was RHT for over a century before switching to LHT in 2009 to align with its neighbouring countries, Australia and New Zealand.
The decision to drive on the left or right is influenced by historical factors, political administration changes, a desire for uniformity, and the availability and affordability of vehicles. In the case of Australia, the British colonial influence was the primary factor in establishing the norm of driving on the left, which continues to this day.
Today, Australia's roads, pedestrian crossings, and traffic signs are designed for left-side driving. This includes long, straight roads with few turns, which can be a unique feature for visitors to navigate. The state of Tasmania and Queensland, surrounded by water, also contribute to easier travel and the continuation of left-side driving practices.
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Safety concerns
Australia's adherence to right-hand drive vehicles is deeply rooted in its history as a former British colony. While this may have been the primary influence, safety concerns have also played a significant role in maintaining this standard over time.
The configuration of right-hand drive vehicles in Australia, where the steering wheel is on the right-hand side, places the driver closer to the centre of the road. This positioning is believed to offer safety advantages, particularly when compared to left-hand drive vehicles. In countries with left-hand traffic, such as Australia, right-hand drive vehicles provide better visibility for the driver, reducing the risk of accidents. This was a crucial factor in Sweden's decision to switch from left-hand to right-hand traffic in 1967, as they aimed to address their high rate of car accidents attributed to the previous setup.
Maintaining a consistent driving side and vehicle configuration within a country is essential for safety. Changing the standard can disrupt the transport network and cause confusion, especially for drivers accustomed to the previous setup. While some countries have successfully transitioned, it is generally a complex process. For example, when Samoa switched to left-hand traffic in 2009, it aligned with neighbouring countries Australia and New Zealand, improving safety for foreign drivers familiar with left-hand traffic.
The safety of foreign drivers in Australia has also been a focus. Driving on the opposite side of the road than one is used to can be challenging and increase the risk of accidents. To address this, Australian states have implemented measures such as multilingual signs and painted arrows on roads to aid international drivers and reduce the potential for head-on collisions.
In summary, while historical influences have played a significant role in establishing Australia's right-hand drive standard, safety concerns have been pivotal in maintaining and reinforcing this convention over time. Ensuring driver familiarity, optimal visibility, and consistent road rules are critical factors in enhancing road safety for all users.
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Sword-fighting
In the Middle Ages, sword-fighting played a role in determining which side of the road people walked on. As most people are right-handed, they would carry their swords on their left side, allowing their dominant hand to be free and ready to draw the sword quickly for self-defence. This meant that people would walk on the right side of the path to keep others on their left, giving rise to the custom of driving on the left side of the road.
In 1835, the British government solidified this custom, and as Australia was a British colony until 1901, it readily adopted left-hand traffic. This tradition has persisted, and Australia continues to drive on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel placed on the right side of the car.
While Australia maintains left-hand traffic, it is worth noting that the positioning of the steering wheel in cars has evolved over time. In the early 1900s, when automobiles first emerged, there was no standard for the placement of the steering wheel. Henry Ford's mass-produced Model T, with its steering wheel on the left, became the industry norm. Many countries switched to left-hand drive cars to align with their neighbours and trading partners. However, former British colonies, including Australia, retained the tradition of right-hand drive cars.
The practice of sword-fighting, with its influence on keeping to the left, combined with cultural and economic factors, led to Australia's adoption of left-hand traffic and right-hand drive cars. Today, driving in Australia involves navigating roads with the steering wheel on the right and following left-hand traffic rules, a system that has been shaped by a unique blend of historical and modern influences.
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Horseback riding
In medieval times, horse riders and cart drivers rode on the left side of paths and roads, as this kept their right arm and sword closer to potential attackers approaching from the other direction. This practice continued with the advent of automobiles, and was further reinforced by British influence in countries like Japan, which was never a British colony but adopted left-hand traffic due to British assistance in building their first railway in 1872.
Today, about a quarter of countries worldwide drive on the left, with the remaining majority adopting right-hand traffic. Driving on the left or right side of the road is often a matter of cultural and geographical influence, and what a country's neighbouring nations do can play a role. For example, Samoa switched to driving on the left in 2009 to align with nearby Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific Island nations, and to make car imports cheaper.
While driving on the left or right may be a matter of cultural convention, it can have safety implications. A study in 1969 found that countries where drivers stick to the left have lower rates of traffic crashes than those driving on the right. However, driving on the opposite side of the road to what one is used to can be challenging and dangerous. For example, an Australian man was jailed in the US following a deadly crash where he allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road.
When driving in a foreign country with different driving conventions, it is important to be vigilant and aware of the differences. It is recommended to use ride-hailing services to observe how roads work in a new country, and to be cautious when driving in quiet areas or at night, as there are fewer cars to remind you of the correct side of the road.
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Driving difficulties
Driving in a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road to what you are used to can be challenging. Australia has left-hand traffic, which means that cars are right-hand drive. This can be confusing for drivers from countries with right-hand traffic, as everything is basically mirrored.
One of the biggest challenges is navigating roundabouts and intersections. When turning right at an intersection, you will often need to cross the intersection and wait for a green right-hand arrow before proceeding. There are also some intersections where right-hand turns are not allowed at all. Roundabouts can also be tricky, as you will need to remember to exit on the left and give way to any traffic coming from your right.
Another difficulty is adjusting to using your left hand for tasks such as shifting gears, especially if you are driving a manual car. It can be easy to forget and try to adjust gears on the door or drift over to the wrong side of the road when turning or parking. It is important to stay alert and be extra careful at the beginning of each drive. It may be helpful to start on quieter roads and use ride-hailing to observe how the roads work before getting behind the wheel yourself.
Driving on the opposite side of the road can be daunting, but with a little planning and practice, it is possible to get used to it. It may be helpful to follow a mantra such as "Love the left" or "Stay left" to remind yourself to stay on the correct side of the road.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia was a British colony until it became a federation in 1901. As such, Australia adopted left-hand traffic rules, which meant that cars would be right-hand drive.
Approximately 25% of countries drive on the left, with the rest adopting right-hand traffic.
If you're renting a car in Australia, it's important to familiarise yourself with the local road rules and practice driving on quieter roads. Remember that roundabouts will rotate to the left, and you'll need to give way to traffic coming from your right. When turning right at an intersection, you'll often need to wait for a green right-hand arrow.
