Why Innovative Utahns Drive On Right Side Of Road

Did you know how we came to drive on the right side of the road in Utah? I often hear that in the States, we are stubborn traditionalists who won’t give up right-side driving to join the UK, Japan, and Australia. But according to this article, it was the U.S. and others who were actually the progressive drivers.

BBC America explains that originally it was traditional to drive on the left side of the road because medieval swordsmen preferred to have their right arms closer to opponents they might cross along their travels. (Left-handed knights, much like left-handers in our society, had to figure out workarounds.) Also, getting on and off a horse was easier on the left side of the horse, which was safer to do on the side of the road.

So, why the shift?

As larger wagons came upon the scene in the late 1700s, more horses were used. Now, instead of a single rider, teams of horses were employed (well, used—I guess the horses might have felt less than employed). Often the driver of the wagon would sit on the rear left horse with his right arm free to manage the team. Since he was on the left and his dominant hand was engaged, traffic naturally flowed to the right.

Britain stubbornly doubled down on left-side travel with the General Highways Act of 1773, later reinforced when it was made into law in 1835. Perhaps they had some harsh feelings towards their little brother colony-turned-country that helped them decide.

To add to the complexity, countries that were influenced by left-handed Napoleon’s conquests had encouragement toward right-side traffic flow. A divide expanded as Britain and France spread their respective road rules to their colonies. Former British colonies like Australia and India still drive on the left, while former French colonies, including Algeria and Senegal, drive on the right.

Read More: This Utah County Has a TEXTING WHILE DRIVING Problem

America’s influence grew with the invention of the automobile. Henry Ford’s Model T, with its left-side driver’s seat, reinforced right-side driving, and this innovation spread globally. Many countries soon followed suit, from Canada to Sweden, while Britain remains loyal to the left, standing as one of the last holdouts against this global shift.