The Ancient Romans drove on the left.

In 1998, archaeologists found a well-preserved double track leading to a Roman quarry near Swindon, England. The grooves in the road on the left side (viewed facing down the track away from the quarry) were much deeper than those on the right side. These grooves suggest that the Romans drove on the left ... since carts would exit the quarry heavily loaded, and enter it empty. ... Ancient travellers on horseback generally rode on the left side of the road. As more people are right-handed, a horseman would thus be able to hold the reins with his left hand and keep his right hand free - to offer in friendship to passing riders or to defend himself with a sword, if necessary.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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55 Comments

George Oliver Prince

Important to be able to defend yourself; also seems to be the reason for the salute, hold up your right hand to show you don't have a weapon

billyboy915

Loreta Vivian Ramel Galima, Yes, they drove wagons, carts, chariots, etc.

Gold Toy Box

If you've been to Rome lately, you would think they drive on both sides.

Amanda Read

Probably why we drive on the left

Albeck1994

Richard S. Levine, wrong she's British and you just be a yank

snowballs

Unless they were passing someone 🤪

Conrado De Leon

Actually, driving on the right is a most senseless variation. Carriages drove on the left to avoid entangling of the cpachmen's whips, since horses and carriages are traditionally mounted from the left. I never understood the change.

sharalp

cowboyst, A lot of the questions have comments from that long ago.

cowboyst

How old is this question? Reply’s on here from a year to three years ago.

Irene Townsend

Loreta Vivian Ramel Galima, Of course, they drove wagons, carriages, etc, the Romans even built roads, all over England, which are still been used today.

Albert

The curse of true has struck again.

dsneed

tesla alset, Sorry, Babe, controlled their horses with their left hands keeping their right hands open for friendship or battle. Still love ya. Dianne

dsneed

Sounds likely to me. Got it right according to the usually true rule. Yay me.

stellaclaude

It’s all supposition. There’s no actual proof!

Val Wilkinson

Exactly. No logic to driving on other side of the road Amanda Read,

Val Wilkinson

Which is why we still drive on the left

Fiona Garnett

😂😂

Peter Robertson

Is,historically the correct side. Napoleon changed it.It's no problem on Island nations as nobody has a vehicle(almost) set up for the right hand.Easy in Britain, Japan,Australia,New Zealand and many African countries