History of Right Hand Drive
#1
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Big D, Texas
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey Forum Members,
Looking at all the pictures of the new E60's out there got me thinking. It always freaks me out to see a right hand drive, E60. Being in America, and only exposed to left hand drivers, it is just so weird to see it any other way.
So, a couple of questions. Does anyone know if the First Cars where right hand or left hand drive?
How did Right Hand Drive become the norm in the U.K. and Japan? I
I guess I am looking for a brief history lesson here.
The other thing that is strange to me, is, the Key, the gas pedal, the brake pedal, are all the same, it is just as if you moved the whole drivers compartment only, with the exception of the gear shifter.
You would think it would be mirror imaged.
Anyway, any info to satisfy my ignorance would be appreciated.
Regards, Mike.
Looking at all the pictures of the new E60's out there got me thinking. It always freaks me out to see a right hand drive, E60. Being in America, and only exposed to left hand drivers, it is just so weird to see it any other way.
So, a couple of questions. Does anyone know if the First Cars where right hand or left hand drive?
How did Right Hand Drive become the norm in the U.K. and Japan? I
I guess I am looking for a brief history lesson here.
The other thing that is strange to me, is, the Key, the gas pedal, the brake pedal, are all the same, it is just as if you moved the whole drivers compartment only, with the exception of the gear shifter.
You would think it would be mirror imaged.
Anyway, any info to satisfy my ignorance would be appreciated.
Regards, Mike.
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: friscoo,CA -----> jakarta,indonesia
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '04 BMW E60 530 black/black
'05 Porsche Cayene S Black/gold
05' BMW M5
05' Bentley CGT
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I come from asia and i use to drive right hand always.Upon coming to the states and experiencing the left hand drive, its kind of strange.At first i always tend to drive to the left side of the road always for a couple of time
.but the adjustment is not that hard.Driving perfectly fine now!
I think theres rhd and lhd due to the roads of each country being different. In asia we always drive in the left side of a 2 way road but on the other hand we drive right side in a 2 way road. First time driving here in the US, i almost made a turn to the wrong lane!
Hope it helps!
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
I think theres rhd and lhd due to the roads of each country being different. In asia we always drive in the left side of a 2 way road but on the other hand we drive right side in a 2 way road. First time driving here in the US, i almost made a turn to the wrong lane!
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
![Tongue](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/tongue.gif)
Hope it helps!
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
My Ride:
523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
Add ons: 123 wheels, chrome grill, K&N Hi flow filter, Eibach Pro Kit, e60.net decal and 24,000km
Past rides:
2001 Nissan Xterra SE
1999 E39 523i
1999 E46 323i
1996 Acura Integra LS
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by mehall2' post='193942' date='Nov 6 2005, 02:25 AM
Hey Forum Members,
Looking at all the pictures of the new E60's out there got me thinking. It always freaks me out to see a right hand drive, E60. Being in America, and only exposed to left hand drivers, it is just so weird to see it any other way.
So, a couple of questions. Does anyone know if the First Cars where right hand or left hand drive?
How did Right Hand Drive become the norm in the U.K. and Japan? I
I guess I am looking for a brief history lesson here.
The other thing that is strange to me, is, the Key, the gas pedal, the brake pedal, are all the same, it is just as if you moved the whole drivers compartment only, with the exception of the gear shifter.
You would think it would be mirror imaged.
Anyway, any info to satisfy my ignorance would be appreciated.
Regards, Mike.
Looking at all the pictures of the new E60's out there got me thinking. It always freaks me out to see a right hand drive, E60. Being in America, and only exposed to left hand drivers, it is just so weird to see it any other way.
So, a couple of questions. Does anyone know if the First Cars where right hand or left hand drive?
How did Right Hand Drive become the norm in the U.K. and Japan? I
I guess I am looking for a brief history lesson here.
The other thing that is strange to me, is, the Key, the gas pedal, the brake pedal, are all the same, it is just as if you moved the whole drivers compartment only, with the exception of the gear shifter.
You would think it would be mirror imaged.
Anyway, any info to satisfy my ignorance would be appreciated.
Regards, Mike.
The first car I think is made in the U.K. so has to be RHD, correct me if I am wrong. France is the first country that have carriage goes up on the right and down on the left which means LHD, people say the reason for it is because Napolean is a lefty so when he ride his horse he could use his left hand to defend himself with a sword, think about it, if carriage where to go up on the left and down on the right it would pose a problem for him using a sword. American being a colony that gain freedom from a revolution of course will beg to differ from the U.K. and hence like France have carriage go up on the right and down on the left which resulted in LHD. As for Japan, domestic cars are RHD but imported cars like E60 is LHD so there's really no history from that, but they do go up on the left and down on the right.
FYI my E60 have key on the right, gas right, brake left, gear shift left, turning indicator left, wipers stalk left, star and romb (is that what it is call) button on the right, volume button on the left, even our wipers are LHD bias which mean the wiper starts from the right going left. So you are right in the BMW they just switch the whole thing to the right for RHD instead of making a mirror version as the Japs would do for their U.S. market cars. But the trend of the automaker now follows BMW everything is LHD bias since RHD market are small compare with LHD markets.
But gas will always be on the right despite the change in the current trend
![W00t](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/w00t.gif)
Hope the post wasn't too long.
#4
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
#5
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Big D, Texas
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by stream' post='193976' date='Nov 5 2005, 02:34 PM
Here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_hand_drive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_hand_drive
Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I love hearing the personal experiences as well. Stream, the link you posted, was most infomative. I thought there would be a pretty short and simple answer.
I really didn't realize so many variables existed in RHD vs LHD. Pretty interesting reading. The sword carrying really was interesting and made sense. Napolean's Left Handedness also made sense.
I find it interesting how history and events, the human race's quirks, can have such an impact on a relatively simple, yet profound decision of where the steering wheel goes and what side of the road you drive on.
Thanks, All. Mike.
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Stourbridge, UK
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535D Sport Auto
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Living in the UK I drive on the left which of course feels totally natural to me, when I go to mainland Europe and hire a LHD car it also feels natural to drive on the right because I'm sitting on the left, if that makes sense. Right hand bends feel a bit weird as the car leans in an alien way and feels as though its going to tip over due to me sitting on the outside. Also traffic islands take some getting used to as the traffic comes from the other side and and you have to be really careful. Driving in the USA is more user friendly to drivers used to driving on the left as there are no islands to contend with and the roads are fairly straight.
I recently took my own car to Germany and that felt totally un-natural as you're sitting in the gutter.
I remember seeing a TV programme about a European Country where they used to drive LHD cars on the left but changed it overnight due to the accident rate. Throughout one night they changed every road sign and markings to the right hand side. Unbelievable.
I can't remember which country it was. Anyone know?
I recently took my own car to Germany and that felt totally un-natural as you're sitting in the gutter.
I remember seeing a TV programme about a European Country where they used to drive LHD cars on the left but changed it overnight due to the accident rate. Throughout one night they changed every road sign and markings to the right hand side. Unbelievable.
![Wacko](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wacko.gif)
#7
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' post='194048' date='Nov 5 2005, 11:26 PM
Living in the UK I drive on the left which of course feels totally natural to me, when I go to mainland Europe and hire a LHD car it also feels natural to drive on the right because I'm sitting on the left, if that makes sense. Right hand bends feel a bit weird as the car leans in an alien way and feels as though its going to tip over due to me sitting on the outside. Also traffic islands take some getting used to as the traffic comes from the other side and and you have to be really careful. Driving in the USA is more user friendly to drivers used to driving on the left as there are no islands to contend with and the roads are fairly straight.
I recently took my own car to Germany and that felt totally un-natural as you're sitting in the gutter.
I remember seeing a TV programme about a European Country where they used to drive LHD cars on the left but changed it overnight due to the accident rate. Throughout one night they changed every road sign and markings to the right hand side. Unbelievable.
I can't remember which country it was. Anyone know?
I recently took my own car to Germany and that felt totally un-natural as you're sitting in the gutter.
I remember seeing a TV programme about a European Country where they used to drive LHD cars on the left but changed it overnight due to the accident rate. Throughout one night they changed every road sign and markings to the right hand side. Unbelievable.
![Wacko](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wacko.gif)
Nevertheless, in 1963 the Swedish government passed legislation ordering the switch to right-hand traffic. The changeover took place at 5am on Sunday, September 3, 1967, which was known in Swedish as Dagen H (H-Day), the 'H' being for H?gertrafik or right-hand traffic.
Since Swedish cars were LHD, experts had suggested that changing to driving on the right would be safer, because drivers would have a better view of the road ahead. Indeed, fatal car-to-car and car-to-pedestrian accidents dropped sharply as a result. However, the accident rate rose back to its original position within two years.
Iceland
Sweden's fellow Nordic country Iceland followed in switching traffic from left to right at 6am on Sunday, May 26, 1968. The only major casualty from the changeover was a boy on a bicycle who broke his leg (New York Times, May 28, 1968, p. 94). Numerous buses were also stuck in traffic jams.
#8
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' post='194048' date='Nov 5 2005, 06:26 PM
Living in the UK I drive on the left which of course feels totally natural to me, when I go to mainland Europe and hire a LHD car it also feels natural to drive on the right because I'm sitting on the left, if that makes sense. Right hand bends feel a bit weird as the car leans in an alien way and feels as though its going to tip over due to me sitting on the outside. Also traffic islands take some getting used to as the traffic comes from the other side and and you have to be really careful. Driving in the USA is more user friendly to drivers used to driving on the left as there are no islands to contend with and the roads are fairly straight.
I recently took my own car to Germany and that felt totally un-natural as you're sitting in the gutter.
I remember seeing a TV programme about a European Country where they used to drive LHD cars on the left but changed it overnight due to the accident rate. Throughout one night they changed every road sign and markings to the right hand side. Unbelievable.
I can't remember which country it was. Anyone know?
I recently took my own car to Germany and that felt totally un-natural as you're sitting in the gutter.
I remember seeing a TV programme about a European Country where they used to drive LHD cars on the left but changed it overnight due to the accident rate. Throughout one night they changed every road sign and markings to the right hand side. Unbelievable.
![Wacko](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wacko.gif)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TexaZ3
Complete Car Sales
17
05-06-2015 09:54 AM
BigxPx
E60 Discussion
7
04-23-2015 10:11 AM