NationStates Jolt Archive

I don't agree with most of the suggestions of things we should adopt - like the death penalty or guns for everyone - but I do think the UK should switch to driving on the right. My reasons are this:

Nearly everybody else does, and I am all for standardisation

and

If wo people walk towards each other nearly everybody veers to the right to avoid collision with the other person.

What? Hell no!!!
I've grown used to it now, you can't change it all of a sudden. And it's easier for me to change gears with the left!

Never! I like driving on the left

Nearly everybody else does
:wink: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_traffic) Yeah. Only Britain and its most of its former colonies were that stubborn to remain driving on the left. :p

What? Hell no!!!
I've grown used to it now, you can't change it all of a sudden. And it's easier for me to change gears with the left!
Sweden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H) was able to do it. :wink:

Nearly everybody else does, and I am all for standardisation


It would be reasonable. I think, though, that Britons feel that driving on the left is part of their national culture, so they're not very likely to let go of that.
I always wonder, however, how do they manage overtaking when they come on the continent for holidays. Oh well.

Sweden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H) was able to do it. :wink:

Sweden might. I refuse.

I'm sure they'll do it if you provide the money for switching all those roads, signs, etc., and buy everyone in the UK a replacement vehicle.

Only Britain and its most of its former colonies were that stubborn to remain driving on the left.
Counterexamples, Japan and Canada.

Sweden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H) was able to do it. :wink:
Italy too. In the '20s.

Sweden might. I refuse.
'kay fine.

I'm sure they'll do it if you provide the money for switching all those roads, signs, etc., and buy everyone in the UK a replacement vehicle.

Maybe if cars were cheaper because of it.

Counterexamples, Japan and Canada.
Suriname, Mozambique, the United States, Belize.

Italy too. In the '20s.
That was under Benito Mussolini.

Maybe if cars were cheaper because of it.

How much cheaper? And just imagine what a brilliant excuse it'll be for the insurance company to raise their prices...

Imho it's not worth the trouble ... What about all the people who didn't turn on the tv or radio that day. I mean the problem will correct itseelf after a whole bunch of traffic accidents. Not worht the trouble.

Imho it's not worth the trouble ... What about all the people who didn't turn on the tv or radio that day. I mean the problem will correct itseelf after a whole bunch of traffic accidents. Not worht the trouble.

It would be a rather incompetent government that only gave a days notice.

Imho it's not worth the trouble ... What about all the people who didn't turn on the tv or radio that day. I mean the problem will correct itseelf after a whole bunch of traffic accidents. Not worht the trouble.

They probably wouldn't just make it a surprise change overnight one night. It would likely have years of lead in.

Drive on the right side, you freaks! :)

Wouldn't an easier first step be getting rid of those awful roundabouts? What's wrong with a four way intersection? I mean other than your medieval street layouts.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg/565px-Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg.png

Totally comprehensible there.

Wouldn't an easier first step be getting rid of those awful roundabouts? What's wrong with a four way intersection? I mean other than your medieval street layouts.


Totally comprehensible there.

Roundabouts are more effective at letting traffic trough. Intersections can cause massive traffic jams.

Wouldn't an easier first step be getting rid of those awful roundabouts? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg/565px-Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg.png
:eek::confused:

While I like roundabouts, I do not like these types of roundabouts.

Wouldn't an easier first step be getting rid of those awful roundabouts? What's wrong with a four way intersection? I mean other than your medieval street layouts.

Totally comprehensible there.

Never seen something quite like that before, but roundabouts are more effective at controlling a constant flow of traffic as opposed to constanst stop-start intersections.

They probably wouldn't just make it a surprise change overnight one night. It would likely have years of lead in.

Oh, I think from a purely maniacal and inconsiderate position it would be quite the spectacle to have a government enforce left-to-right-to-left side driving throughout the week on random days.
;p

Medievil road layouts? I think you will find some are Roman. We live in Europe, where the history comes from. We've been at the game alot longer than the colonists.

And yet the Greeks could figure out grid street layouts. Little wonder they called it the Dark Ages.

but were correct so why can't the rest of the world change over :confused:

It would be a rather incompetent government that only gave a days notice.

erm...

Medievil road layouts? I think you will find some are Roman. We live in Europe, where the history comes from. We've been at the game alot longer than the colonists.

Roman roads are straight :tongue:

Medievil road layouts? I think you will find some are Roman. We live in Europe, where the history comes from. We've been at the game alot longer than the colonists.

Regrettably, no.

The magic roundabout was a 1970's design conceived by a government-sponsored 'traffic lab'. Given that it sits over a section of the Wiltshire and Berkshire canal, any road layout would have to post-date the 18th century. In any case, it's not even the first roundabout at the site.

But it really is officially called the magic roundabout, see:

http://www.double-clutch.net/archives/images/800px-Magic_Roundabout_Schild_db.jpg



Here's what it actually looks like:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/images/2007/10/22/msn_magic_roundabout_470x350.jpg

brutland and norden, the us drives on the right because for a long time after independence we were anti-british. by the time anglophobia went away, it was culturally ingrained. the uk drives on the left for the same reason; it is culturally ingrained in them.

Regrettably, no.

The magic roundabout was a 1970's design conceived by a government-sponsored 'traffic lab'. Given that it sits over a section of the Wiltshire and Berkshire canal, any road layout would have to post-date the 18th century. In any case, it's not even the first roundabout at the site.

But it really is officially called the magic roundabout, see:


Here's what it actually looks like:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/images/2007/10/22/msn_magic_roundabout_470x350.jpg

I'm not sure the little roundabouts in the big roundabout actually serve a purpose...

But it really is officially called the magic roundabout, see:

Here's what it actually looks like:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/images/2007/10/22/msn_magic_roundabout_470x350.jpg

-.-

My eyes hurt.

Yes but one of the burning questions I guess, concerning the Magic Roundabout is - has anybody ever survived trying to cross it on foot?
;p

Here's a semi-official explanation as to why the UK and others drive on the left :

http://www.2pass.co.uk/goodluck.htm

I'm not sure the little roundabouts in the big roundabout actually serve a purpose...
I think that's to allow drivers in the counterclockwise-direction inner lane to exit the roundabout to the roads radiating from it or shift to the clockwise-direction outer lane... which is odd, since it's a roundabout, there's no need to have opposing lanes of traffic.

Never! The status quo is king!

No ta.

How about a compromise? Older drivers who don't want to change still drive on the left, and younger drivers on the right!

Here's a semi-official explanation as to why the UK and others drive on the left :

http://www.2pass.co.uk/goodluck.htm

I don't believe you. :p

"It's because they're stupid. That's why everyone does everything." - Homer Simpson.

Sweden might. I refuse.
So if the UK actually did change over to the right side of the road, you'd continue to drive on the wrong side of the road?

So if the UK actually did change over to the right side of the road, you'd continue to drive on the wrong side of the road?
She probably would until Ireland followed suit...

She probably would until Ireland followed suit...
Ireland is rightfully part of the Empire, and I refuse to acknowledge otherwise until I have received a suitable cash bribe.

It'd cost so much money to do this, and it'd be pointless.

It'd cost so much money to do this, and it'd be pointless.
No it wouldn't, I'm really quite cheap!
...oh, wait, you were talking about something else.
*ahem*

awkward

Ireland is rightfully part of the Empire, and I refuse to acknowledge otherwise until I have received a suitable cash bribe.Time is money. I'll give you five seconds to acknowledge it.

I think that's to allow drivers in the counterclockwise-direction inner lane to exit the roundabout to the roads radiating from it or shift to the clockwise-direction outer lane...

*head explodes*

Roundabouts are superior to four way junctions in almost every way, that is why we use them. They are safer (something like 90% less collisions) and handle higher capacity than a junction. The reason for this is that traffic within the roundabout is always moving - unlike at a junction. All traffic flows in the same direction which eliminates 90 degree angle collisions, the type that typically results in the most casualties.

Roundabouts are superior to four way junctions in almost every way, that is why we use them. They are safer (something like 90% less collisions) and handle higher capacity than a junction. The reason for this is that traffic within the roundabout is always moving - unlike at a junction. All traffic flows in the same direction which eliminates 90 degree angle collisions, the type that typically results in the most casualties.Why is this relevant? Continental Europe has roundabouts too.

Why is this relevant? Continental Europe has roundabouts too.

Someone on the first page was complaining about roundabouts being stupid, I forgot to quote them.

Why is this relevant? Continental Europe has roundabouts too.

they were invented by the English.

I don't agree with most of the suggestions of things we should adopt - like the death penalty or guns for everyone - but I do think the UK should switch to driving on the right. My reasons are this:

Nearly everybody else does, and I am all for standardisation

Just because a majority says something is right doesn't make it so.

Perhaps nearly everybody else could switch to the left hand side?

If wo people walk towards each other nearly everybody veers to the right to avoid collision with the other person.

I find people veering to the left as well but then that is people not cars.

Anyway why should the UK switch?

Just because a majority says something is right doesn't make it so.

Perhaps nearly everybody else could switch to the left hand side?



I find people veering to the left as well but then that is people not cars.

Anyway why should the UK switch?

because driving on the right side of the road is modern.

Also you would see a greater market share in your export cars as price came down for the jaguars and mini built with steering wheel on the right side.

Wouldn't an easier first step be getting rid of those awful roundabouts? What's wrong with a four way intersection? I mean other than your medieval street layouts.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg/565px-Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg.png

Totally comprehensible there.

Umm yes, yes it is.

Though I must say this would be an example of one of the more complex roundabouts.

Is this really THAT important?:rolleyes:

"I compare myself to Rachmaninov"... now where have I seen that one before.

Is this really THAT important?:rolleyes:

Not as important as tea.

Speaking of which *goes to boil some water*

Is this really THAT important?:rolleyes:

Indubitably :p

because driving on the right side of the road is modern.

And is modern always best?

Also you would see a greater market share in your export cars as price came down for the jaguars and mini built with steering wheel on the right side.

What they don't make cars with steering wheels on the right?

I would say would be due to the stupidity of the companies and they should correct it rather than changing around the rules for everyone. After all cars built by companies in right side driving sell cars with steering wheels in the left.

If wo people walk towards each other nearly everybody veers to the right to avoid collision with the other person.

In America, maybe.

It's actually a project we did at my college, to monitor 'traffic' in an ASDA store in Leicester. British 'drivers' pass each other on the left, while shopping. We also observe other road rules like 'giving way', and even giving right of travel to 'pedestrians' (i.e. shoppers only carrying a basket, or carrying no goods).

Check it out, next time you're in Tesco.

NO!

This first post seems to me just to say that we shouldn't adopt those AMERICAN things, but is willing to adopt if, say, Europe does it.

In America, maybe.

It's actually a project we did at my college, to monitor 'traffic' in an ASDA store in Leicester. British 'drivers' pass each other on the left, while shopping. We also observe other road rules like 'giving way', and even giving right of travel to 'pedestrians' (i.e. shoppers only carrying a basket, or carrying no goods).

Check it out, next time you're in Tesco.

Walking through Gallowtree Gate or down New Walk nearly everyday I have watched people and to me they seem naturally to go to the right not the left. I always assumed it was related to handedness.

Walking through Gallowtree Gate or down New Walk nearly everyday I have watched people and to me they seem naturally to go to the right not the left. I always assumed it was related to handedness.

I'm not sure. The New Walk pedestrians would be functioning purely as pedestrians (unlike shoppers, who - as I said, function like drivers) so it's possible. The behaviour in Gallowtree Gate can be pretty easily explained by access to stores - the street actually effectively splits into two one-way roads for pedestrians.

And - thinking about it - pedestrian 'behaviour' is typically to walk against the flow of vehicular traffic. It would actually make a certain amount of sense to function in both Gallowtree Gate and New Walk as though you were walking on the road - which means towards oncoming traffic.

No. There is no convincing reason to do so. There is nothing intrinsically better about driving on either side of the road. We're used to driving on the left, and there's nothing wrong with it. It isn't broken, so don't fix it.

All traffic flows in the same direction
Not in the example we were shown, with its wheels-within-wheels.

I don't see what the big problem with driving on the left side of the road is...There quite a few countries that actually drive on the left right?

We'll see UK on the right side of the road when we see the metric system in the US.

In other words, never.

Regrettably, no.

The magic roundabout was a 1970's design conceived by a government-sponsored 'traffic lab'. Given that it sits over a section of the Wiltshire and Berkshire canal, any road layout would have to post-date the 18th century. In any case, it's not even the first roundabout at the site.

Here's what it actually looks like:

And beautifully conceived it is. There's a similar one near my home; works perfectly. I really deplore the way councils keep adding non-temporary traffic lights to roundabouts - in rush-hour it may help, but for most of the day it just restricts flow.

I'd say roundabouts actually increase driver awareness as they have to concentrate to navigate them, rather than just blindly follow the lights, and therefore prevent crashes (I've no idea if this is backed up by statistics).

OP: I see no compelling reason to change.

No. Because to switch to driving on the right it to admit defeat to Napoleon in the Traffic Wars.

Edit: I dislike your joke option.

Should the rest of the world switch to driving on the left?

Not in the example we were shown, with its wheels-within-wheels.

Look again. All traffic within each individual roundabout moves in the same direction. The same cannot be said for a junction. Merging parallel traffic (which is what you do in a roundabout) is much safer than merging by turning, as in a junction.

Nah, you silly Brits can stay all quaint and backwards. It amuses the tourists. :tongue:

Yes. This way Brits can travel to other countries with a reduced risk of traffic collisions if they drive there, and people from other countries can travel to Britain with a reduced risk as well.

Why don't we compromise? Everyone just drive in the middle of the road. There are no drawbacks to this plan. Trust me.

Nah, you silly Brits can stay all quaint and backwards. It amuses the tourists. :tongue:

You didn't read about how the rotational forces caused in air currents between cars passing each other on the right (in the Northern hemisphere) is a major factor in the prevalence of tornadoes? (Hence why France gets them, and the UK doesn't, the US gets them, and Canada doesn't, etc)?

I think that's a silly idea. No need to change if it works.

I'd say roundabouts actually increase driver awareness as they have to concentrate to navigate them, rather than just blindly follow the lights, and therefore prevent crashes (I've no idea if this is backed up by statistics).

Same no statistics on it.

But I remember a intersection not 500 metres from where we lived there would be quite a few car crashes at least one a month. They then put a roundabout in this intersection and the number of crashes and near misses dropped dramatically.

Nah, you silly Brits can stay all quaint and backwards. It amuses the tourists. :tongue:

What is really amusing is watching Yanks trying to drive around one of these roundabouts.

I life in a monarchy as well.

What I always wanted to see was a checkbox on my tax-paper where I can decide that a part of my tax money should be given away to the royals or not.

That way, people that adore traveling operetta clubs, like the royals, can waste their own money.

Now, I’m paying for their pleasure.

*snip*

Monarchy Keeping thread is that way --->

Those that drive on the right should stick to being fat, killing brown children, shooting each other, surrendering and invading Poland. Leaving the civilised world to drive in a civilised manner.

A sermon on civilisation coming from the land where people still painted their faces blue, while in the same age Rome was building paved roads all around Europe. Oh well, curiouser and curiouser, you know.

the only point i would see would be if car prices came down as a result. so, no, lets stay on the left why not.

Wouldn't an easier first step be getting rid of those awful roundabouts? What's wrong with a four way intersection? I mean other than your medieval street layouts.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg/565px-Swindon_Magic_Roundabout_eng.svg.png

Totally comprehensible there.

yeah, but that's a special roundabout which you avoid like the plague. normal ones are awfully efficient really

A sermon on civilisation coming from the land where people still painted their faces blue, while in the same age Rome was building paved roads all around Europe. Oh well, curiouser and curiouser, you know.

Hey, hey - let's not be mean... sure it's all fun and games 'til a civilisation becomes decadent and falls apart then someone might lose an eye!..
=[

We both managed hugest Empire evah competition so bleh
:9

You should think about a thing: do you know that British people could suffer the problems of driving on right? For them, it's easier to drive on left.

A sermon on civilisation coming from the land where people still painted their faces blue, while in the same age Rome was building paved roads all around Europe. Oh well, curiouser and curiouser, you know.

Hey, chill out knocking the Celts.

A sermon on civilisation coming from the land where people still painted their faces blue, while in the same age Rome was building paved roads all around Europe.

Rome fell ;)

We've been driving on the left for the past 2,000 years, so I don't see why we should change now. They've shown that by looking at ancient Roman quarries and comparing the waggon ruts, which are deeper on the left hand side of the road leading out of the quarry and lighter on the other side where the waggons would be coming in. So there you go.

We've been driving on the left for the past 2,000 years, so I don't see why we should change now. They've shown that by looking at ancient Roman quarries and comparing the waggon ruts, which are deeper on the left hand side of the road leading out of the quarry and lighter on the other side where the waggons would be coming in. So there you go.
Any sources?

I worked on a Roman road at Silchester for three weeks this summer as part of my degree in Archaeology, I didn't notice any difference in the surface of the road during that time. Admittedly, we weren't looking for it and it was in the middle of a Roman town, so the whole "heavier traffic" thing might not be applicable here.

Why should anyone change their habits at home? When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

When I visit the UK I will be sure to look to my right first before crossing a street -- when UKers come to the states, look left first.

Simple.

Why should anyone change their habits at home? When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

When I visit the UK I will be sure to look to my right first before crossing a street -- when UKers come to the states, look left first.

Simple.
Tantamount to suicide if you don't, though.

Tantamount to suicide if you don't, though.
In the US as a kid, I was taught to "Look both ways before you cross". PSAs and all.

Surely the Brits teach their children to cross the street?

In the US as a kid, I was taught to "Look both ways before you cross". PSAs and all.

Surely the Brits teach their children to cross the street?
Yep, it gets drummed into us, too.

But ya still forget from time to time, and have those enjoyable moments when your life flashes before you and heartrate goes through the roof.

What is really amusing is watching Yanks trying to drive around one of these roundabouts.

Yup, that's probably also quite entertaining. I'm an equal-opportunity mocker. ;)

Yup, that's probably also quite entertaining. I'm an equal-opportunity mocker

roundabouts are cheaper. They dont need as much electricity or road repairs. All people need to do is learn how to move about it then and look at what other cars are doing

but as for driving on the left/right what would the cost be for changing the roads. Traffic lights would all need change direction, new lines would need to be painted, parking spots redone etc etc.

The system works for the locals. if your establishing a new road network somewhere else I would say follow the majority and go on the right but there is nothing wrong with the left hand side

I never quite understood why the UK did that. Why do they have the cars on the left side of the road?

Anyway, I think it should change, but it's going to be one heck of a process. Since everyone is so used to driving on one side, more accidents will occur by springing back into habit. Then you have to turn all of the signs around. Then you have to refit the cars so that the steering wheel is on the left side. Besides, not only does the UK and it's former colonies practice this, but also Japan.

Hm, maybe it shouldn't change, but that's unpractical. If someone from the UK wants to move to another country, they have to get used to driving on the other side anyway. and if Sweden did it, then it can be done in the UK.

I guess I'll remain neutral on this...

I never quite understood why the UK did that. Why do they have the cars on the left side of the road?

Probably because most people wield their weapon with their right hand. By riding on the left your weapon is nearest to your opponent.

its the rest of the world that goes arround traffic circles widdershins, where they have them, isn't it?

personally i think everyone should give up driving anything that goes faster then 30mph, weighs more then half a ton, is propelled by burning anything, and for further then 30 or 40 miles at a time, unless they REALLY live that far out in the boonies, they would still absolutely have to, if the price of subsidising the oil, automotive, and paving industries, with roads, was spent instead, on REAL environmentally harmonious transportation infrastructure.

Any sources?
I worked on a Roman road at Silchester for three weeks this summer as part of my degree in Archaeology, I didn't notice any difference in the surface of the road during that time. Admittedly, we weren't looking for it and it was in the middle of a Roman town, so the whole "heavier traffic" thing might not be applicable here.

The post you're responding to might be confusing Roman rutways with Roman roads (writes NSG's friendly local archaeology PhD). Wagon ruts on a quarry rutway don't necessarily indicate traffic patterns on a paved road.

My understanding is that, on paved Roman roads, wheeled traffic used the paved centre while foot and horse-based travel used the soft shoulder sides. I have no data on which side of the road traffic would move to when meeting on-coming vehicles, but I doubt any such data is retrievable on a well-built Roman road.

So while not a specialist on the Roman road network by any means (though my office is right next to one), I know of no conclusive evidence - archaeological or historical - regarding which side of the road the Romans 'drove' on.

Why would you want to change the side of the road you drive on? It makes you different. Uniformity is boring.

In the US as a kid, I was taught to "Look both ways before you cross". PSAs and all.

Surely the Brits teach their children to cross the street?

Well, when there's no such offence as jaywalking you do kinda need to tell the kids how to cross roads...

I vaguely remember hearing once that driving on the left leads to lower accident rates, but god knows what the original source for that was.

It would make driving all existing UK cars somewhat awkward. So no.

It would make driving all existing UK cars somewhat awkward. So no.
The sheer enomormity of the task at hand is probably what puts off the government everytime this subject is mentioned in seriousness.

Probably don't have the cash, especially considering the current economic downturn, the fact that the armed forces are somewhat underfunded, the NHS going broke and a whole host of other things that need the money a lot more than flipping the road system backarsewards.

Well, then, a Darwin award to those who die for stepping off the curb without looking.

It would make driving all existing UK cars somewhat awkward. So no.
And, surely, the rate of car accidents would go through the roof.

(No distasteful pun intended.)

And, surely, the rate of car accidents would go through the roof.

(No distasteful pun intended.)

When Sweden changed there were fewer accidents as people drove more carefully, though this did wear off after a while.

Personally, I don't see what the point to it would be. Someone please explain to me why it is a problem that the brits drive on the left side of the road.

Personally, I don't see what the point to it would be. Someone please explain to me why it is a problem that the brits drive on the left side of the road.

- Different cardesign is needed (steeringwheel on the right side). This makes cars more expensive for the Brits.
- Foreigners get confused easily. Pedestrians may look the wrong way and get hit. Cars may drive on the wrong side of the road
- Hey man - left is, you know... sinister !

When Sweden changed theer were fewer accidents as people drove more carefully, though this did wear off after a while.
Not really economically viable at this point in time.

Why doesn't the rest of the world switch to being on the left? After all, if its so easy to switch to the right, why not go back?

When Sweden changed theer were fewer accidents as people drove more carefully, though this did wear off after a while.

I thought it went up, and I've seen pictures of big snarl-ups. There were accidents in Iceland too.

Why doesn't the rest of the world switch to being on the left? After all, if its so easy to switch to the right, why not go back?It's significantly more cost effective for Britain and the few other places to switch.

It's significantly more cost effective for Britain and the few other places to switch.
Although not really in the short-term.

Since at the moment, we pay a bit more for cars. If we switch around, we'll have to change every single roadsign, road marking, rip up traffic-calming measures and a whole host of shit more.

Not exactly the best ideas in the current economic downturn, eh?

- Hey man - left is, you know... sinister !

*waves the banner of the Lefties for Equal Treatment organization*

I kind of would like to see a source supporting the idea that fewer accidents happen when driving on the left side. I'm honestly not sure why it would make a difference.

What's the need for a nation spread over 2 islands, where the one other sovereign country also drives on the left, to switch road sides?

Although not really in the short-term.

Since at the moment, we pay a bit more for cars. If we switch around, we'll have to change every single roadsign, road marking, rip up traffic-calming measures and a whole host of shit more.

Not exactly the best ideas in the current economic downturn, eh?I don't know, a lot of people would have to be employed doing that.

I don't know, a lot of people would have to be employed doing that.
But then who would pay them?

But then who would pay them?

I think Jello was volunteering for that role...

I think Jello was volunteering for that role...
Heh, the UK's new benefactor.

Could we declare Jello as heir to the throne?

What's the need for a nation spread over 2 islands, where the one other sovereign country also drives on the left, to switch road sides?

To really make sure they can never be united again ;)

Indubitably :p

Why do I feel like I have fallen down the Rabbit's hole and plopped right in the middle of the Maddest, English Tea Party there is?:eek2:

But then who would pay them?The government, of course.

Heh, the UK's new benefactor.

Could we declare Jello as heir to the throne?Too late. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=508727)

The government, of course.
But the thing about the government paying is my point: the money that is there (and Lord knows that the government's in shite loads of debt as it is) ought to be spent on things the country actually needs, like the NHS and giving our soldiers equipment they damn well need, not on a frivalous and unnecessary switch over of the road system so that we can be more like other places on the planet, presumably for their convience and not ours.
Too late. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=508727)
Heh, weird coincidence :p

But the thing about the government paying is my point: the money that is there (and Lord knows that the government's in shite loads of debt as it is) ought to be spent on things the country actually needs, like the NHS and giving our soldiers equipment they damn well need, not on a frivalous and unnecessary switch over of the road system so that we can be more like other places on the planet, presumably for their convience and not ours.Your country doesn't need jobs?

Your country doesn't need jobs?
Gawd, that's not what I'm saying.

It's significantly more cost effective for Britain and the few other places to switch.

Not for the country switching...

Unless you were implying the right-hand-side-driving nations were going to sponsor that change?

Not for the country switching...

Unless you were implying the right-hand-side-driving nations were going to sponsor that change?

The European Unon is quite keen that we change, maybe they would stump up some cash.

I never quite understood why the UK did that. Why do they have the cars on the left side of the road?

Anyway, I think it should change, but it's going to be one heck of a process. Since everyone is so used to driving on one side, more accidents will occur by springing back into habit. Then you have to turn all of the signs around. Then you have to refit the cars so that the steering wheel is on the left side. Besides, not only does the UK and it's former colonies practice this, but also Japan.

Hm, maybe it shouldn't change, but that's unpractical. If someone from the UK wants to move to another country, they have to get used to driving on the other side anyway. and if Sweden did it, then it can be done in the UK.

I guess I'll remain neutral on this...
I've never understood why they drive on the right side of the road.

Despite what you may think, changing to a different driving side when you cross a border is easier than it would seem.

And:
1. Sweden is a lot more efficient at things.
2. Sweden had to do it because they had land borders with other countries, no cars leaving the British Isles without boarding a ferry or catching the Eurotunnel, we can get away with it.

Honestly, I don't think you Brits should bow to pressure to "be as mediocre as everyone else". What's next, changing the name of the Pound to the "forty percent of a kilogramme"?

Britain should be pushing Europe to be more English-Friendly, not the other way 'round. After all, England gave up worldwide hegemony voluntarily, whereas the other European powers basically had to be invaded, conquered, (multiple times in some cases-like France and Germany), then driven out by armed gangs. Britain should NOT be bowing to the desires of the Franco-Germanic Economic Hegemony known as the EU.

After all, why make it more comfortable for the French to drive Badly in England, as they do everywhere else?

I don't agree with most of the suggestions of things we should adopt - like the death penalty or guns for everyone - but I do think the UK should switch to driving on the right. My reasons are this:

No, we shouldn't. And I don't think you can even suggest the idea until someone has come up with a feasible way to actually do it without killing everyone in the process. And 'Sweden did it in the 60s when there were three cars and a sheep on the road" does not count as a feasible way.

Much better to wait until we all have our hovercars, and roads don't matter anymore.

After all, England gave up worldwide hegemony voluntarily, ?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! *stops to catch breath* HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Good joke.

Why do I feel like I have fallen down the Rabbit's hole and plopped right in the middle of the Maddest, English Tea Party there is?:eek2:

More dope vicar?

I don't agree with most of the suggestions of things we should adopt - like the death penalty or guns for everyone - but I do think the UK should switch to driving on the right. My reasons are this:

Nearly everybody else does, and I am all for standardisation

Yes. Heaven forbid anyone should ever go to a foreign country and discover that things there aren't exactly the same. That would be dreadful.


If wo people walk towards each other nearly everybody veers to the right to avoid collision with the other person.

Yeah, could be an issue. I suggest that, in order to avoid problems, the UK's roads should be marked out with white lines, showing people which side of the road is which. Then there'll be no danger of any remotely competent driver swerving towards the wrong side.

Of course, this road painting scheme may take a while to complete.

EDIT: You'll never guess what... I just looked outside and, would you believe it, the roads are already marked out in exactly the manner I described. Amazing.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! *stops to catch breath* HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Good joke.

Sometimes, I wonder when (or if) anyone catches my humour.

Still, I have to say that:

1. I don't live in Great Britain or the British Isles

2. I voted "No".

It's one thing to shift over to driving on the other side of the road when you're not heavily developed and invested in an infrastructure, (including but not limited to where the exits are faced and placed, where the signs are faced, and where the steering wheel is), and it's something else entirely when you are.

Britain's roads aren't laid out for right-hand driving. At over a million USD$ per mile for blacktopping (not including the concrete work for ramps onto and off of major highways, shoulder work, etc. etc.) it's just not practical.

Yes. Heaven forbid anyone should ever go to a foreign country and discover that things there aren't exactly the same. That would be dreadful.
Hit the nail on the head, there.

The sheer enomormity of the task at hand is probably what puts off the government everytime this subject is mentioned in seriousness.

Probably don't have the cash, especially considering the current economic downturn, the fact that the armed forces are somewhat underfunded, the NHS going broke and a whole host of other things that need the money a lot more than flipping the road system backarsewards.

Yes. For the amount of cost in changing every single road sign in the country and the fact that all UK cars would then be awkward to drive, there's not much benefit. Not really enough to justify it when there are other things that aren't getting enough funding as is.

The European Unon is quite keen that we change, maybe they would stump up some cash.

Fuck the EU, tell them to come to the right side of the road which is the left.

the only point i would see would be if car prices came down as a result. so, no, lets stay on the left why not.



yeah, but that's a special roundabout which you avoid like the plague. normal ones are awfully efficient really

Someone posted up a road sign for it earlier in the thread. Lets go find a link (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Magic_Roundabout_Schild_db.jpg) to one.

From that, it also seems very efficient, and reasonably easy to navigate. You simply work your way around the small roundabouts until you get to the one with the exit you're looking for. Nothing much more too it, and I don't see all the issues with it.

No. Changing would be a worse-than-pointless waste of money, even more so here in Australia, because we have even more roads than the UK. Also, I don't agree with the assessment that people naturally swerve right. At least for me, veering to the left is instinctive on a pedestrian level. In my experience, people walk on the left side of footpaths, they travel on the left up and down stairs, on escalators the left side is the 'slow lane', etc.

I remember reading in some Frederick Forsyth book that travelling on the left was safer, because when faced with an emergency, people will instinctively pull left. In the left lane, they will merely go into the grass or the emergency lane, but in the right lane they will pull into the oncoming traffic. Personally, I'm dubious about it, but I did find this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_hand_drive#Left-hand_traffic:
"Research in 1969 by J. J. Leeming showed countries driving on the left have a lower collision rate than countries driving on the right. This research is questioned in Peter Kincaid's book on the rule of the road, but some countries that have switched to driving on the right, such as Sweden, have seen their long-term accident rates increase by more than any increase in traffic volume. It has been suggested, but not proven, that this is partly because it is more common to be right-eye dominant.[12][13][14] Traffic flows in a clockwise direction when driving on the left which enables right eyed people to use the right eye to see oncoming traffic. When overtaking (passing) on a right-side-driving road, the right-eyed driver looks in the wing mirror (side mirror) with the left eye and also views the oncoming traffic with the left eye which is not suited to the majority right-eyed people."

I remember reading in some Frederick Forsyth book that travelling on the left was safer, because when faced with an emergency, people will instinctively pull left. In the left lane, they will merely go into the grass or the emergency lane, but in the right lane they will pull into the oncoming traffic.
He's written a few good books, but he tends to talk out of his arse at times.

Gawd, that's not what I'm saying.Perhaps I'm being unclear.
In times of an economic downtown, Keynesian economics suggests that that government can sponsor public works projects and employ people whilst doing so. As more people are employed and have more spending money, this process helps the economy fix itself.
As such the fact that the economy is not doing well is one reason to sponsor changing everything over.
Some of the other things you mentioned might be a better use of money, such as expanding healthcare services. However, healthcare services usually require a lot of specialized training, or at least more training than it would take to teach people how to switch signs around.

Not for the country switching...

Unless you were implying the right-hand-side-driving nations were going to sponsor that change?I wasn't planning on doing so, however...

The European Unon is quite keen that we change, maybe they would stump up some cash.If this is the case then perhaps they should.