left-hand.
Our vast and well-maintained road network ensures driving is a popular mode of transport throughout Victoria. Wherever you drive in Australia, you must drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Do Aussies drive on the left side of the road?
Australia: Left-hand traffic
We drive on the left for one reason and one reason only: Britain told us to. No, really. As a British colony up until we became a federation in 1901, Australia readily adopted left-hand traffic, no doubt because it made both cultural and economic sense to do so.
Is Melbourne right hand drive?
Unlike 66% of the world’s population, Australians abide by left-hand traffic laws. That also means the steering wheels in vehicles are on the right-hand side, so the driver is closer to the centre of the road.
How do you drive in Victoria Australia?
All vehicles are driven on the left side of the road in Australia. Visitors from countries that drive on the right side of the road need to be careful when driving and need to take additional care at intersections as you can be at higher risk of a crash when turning.
Which counties drive on the left?
The bulk of countries that drive on the left are former British colonies including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Only four countries in Europe still drive on the left and they are all islands. They consist of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
Why do Brits drive on the left side?
Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire.
Why doesn t Canada drive on the left?
Nevertheless, with the rise of the automobile, many countries have switched to the right to fit in with their neighbors. Canada abandoned the left side of the road in the 1920s to facilitate traffic to and from the United States.
Can I drive a left hand drive car in Victoria?
Left hand drive vehicles with a date of manufacture 25 years or older may be issued with a permit authorised by an approved motoring club, under the Club Permit Scheme. This will allow members of vehicle clubs that are recognised by VicRoads to make limited non-commercial use of eligible vehicles on the road network.
Is it illegal to drive a left hand car in Australia?
Vehicles registered in Queensland
In Queensland, all light vehicles (gross vehicle mass not exceeding 4.5t) that are less than 25 years old must have a right hand drive. There are some special cases where a vehicle that is left hand drive is permitted to be registered and use Queensland’s roads.
Why do Americans drive on the right?
New York, in 1804, became the first State to prescribe right hand travel on all public highways. By the Civil War, right hand travel was followed in every State. Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn’t run into a roadside ditch.
Can foreigners drive in Victoria?
If you’re visiting Victoria for less than six months you can drive on your overseas driver licence provided it is valid and current. If you’ve been living or will be living in Victoria for six months or more you’ll need to convert your overseas licence or permit to a Victorian licence.
Is it illegal to eat and drink while driving in Victoria?
While it’s illegal to drink alcohol while driving in Australia, no matter whether you’re under the limit or not, Australia has no specific laws against eating or drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving.
Can you drink alcohol while driving in Victoria?
You must not drink alcohol, even if your blood alcohol concentration stays below your legal limit, while: driving a motor vehicle.
Why do Japanese drive on left?
In essence, driving on the left has little to do with cars. Quite the contrary, it’s all for the convenience of the samurai and Japanese road usage logic. You see, at the time of the samurai, city streets and footpaths were quite narrow. In addition, most samurai were right-handed and wore their katana on the left.
Which is safer driving on left or right?
It has been noticed that countries that drive on the left side of the road have considerably fewer traffic accidents and fatalities than those that drive on the right side of the road. A study performed in 1969 by J.J.
Why do Europeans drive on the right?
The subsequent Revolutionary wars and Napoleon’s European conquests led to the spread of driving on the right to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Napoleon ordered his armies to use the right-hand side of the road in order to avoid congestion during military manoeuvres.
Why driving on the left is better?
Left Hand countries deliver safer driving
In left-hand traffic systems, the better-perfoming right eye is used to monitor oncoming traffic and the driver’s wing mirror. In right-hand traffic, the weaker left eye takes over. Plus, left-sided driving is safer for the elderly due to their failing visual abilities.
Why did Sweden change to driving on the right?
Sweden initiated the driving change in part because its neighbors already drove on the right side of the road. Many members of the Swedish parliament also argued that the left-hand vehicles Swedes drove had caused too many head-on collisions.
Why do Americans drive everywhere?
Because the price of gasoline is low here. High gas taxes in other countries make automobile use expensive. And because America is far more spread out and less densely populated than most European or Asian countries. In a place like the small city in which I live, mass transit just isn’t an option.
What country drives the most?
China has the largest fleet of motor vehicles in the world in 2022, with 307 million motor vehicles, excluding two-wheelers and in 2009 became the world’s largest new car market as well.
Can I drive in Canada with a US license?
If you plan to use a foreign driver’s licence in Canada, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.