Ray Jessel`s Auto Site

     When tourists from the United States visit the United Kingdom, they are often puzzled by Britain’s custom of driving on the left, or “wrong side”, of the road.  Even more confusing is the placement of the steering wheel, driver’s seat, accelerator, and brake pedal within the car.  In countries where motorists drive on the left hand side of the road, the automobiles are manufactured with the steering wheel and controls on the right hand side.  This can be quite confusing for visitors to adjust to, so it is much simpler to rely on public transportation during their stay or rent a vehicle with left hand drive. 

     So why do motorists in the UK drive on the left hand side of the road?  This all came about because of the need for travelers to defend themselves.  Because the majority of people are right handed, travelers would keep to the left in order to use their swords to fend off attackers.  At the time this just seemed logical, but around 1300 AD. Pope Benefice formalised this practice in a Papal Edict declaring that all pilgrims should keep to the left hand side of the road.  This practice of keeping left continued as horse traffic increased and was recommended in the General Highways Act of 1773.  It became law in the Highways Bill of 1835.

     As mentioned previously, vehicles manufactured in the UK and Europe are configured for LHT, or Left Hand Traffic.  This means they are configured for right hand drive where the steering wheel, driver’s seat, and controls are located on the right side of the car. 

     Just because the UK is a country whose drivers keep to the left doesn’t mean there are no left hand drive vehicles on the roads.  There are motorists who prefer left hand drive cars which can be found at automotive dealers in the UK who specialize in import cars.  They offer a wide selection of quality new and used lhd cars and lhd 4x4s with low miles and the most popular options.  Customers can choose from outstanding manufacturers such as Chevrolet, Ford, Volkswagen, Porsche, Opel, Mercedes, Land Rover, Audi, and BMW just to name a few.

     Import automotive dealers recommend that their customers who plan to travel in Europe take out some type of European assistance cover in case of mechanical breakdown or accident.  Without this cover, travelers may find themselves in situations that can cost them time and money and possibly ruin their holiday.  Owners of import cars also need to purchase lhd insurance for their vehicles.  Left hand drive vehicles are considered high insurance risks, but their owners can find insurance companies with low rates for lhd vehicles.  Sometimes all it takes is a little shopping around to find the right company.

     People who own lhd vehicles get enormous pleasure from driving them.  Some say they only take their lhd cars and lhd 4x4s out on holidays and consider them to be a very elite class of vehicle.  There is a group of discerning motorists in the UK who wouldn’t drive any other type of vehicle.