Blog

Why is Myanmar left-hand drive?

Why is Myanmar left-hand drive?

Part of the story is that Myanmar used to drive on the left, a relic of British colonial rule, then switched to the right in 1970. The reason for the military dictator’s decision to switch is not clear, but may have been because of a dream he had or on the advise of his wife’s astrologer.

Is Myanmar right hand drive?

Motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road in Yangon following Gen. YANGON—On this day 49 years ago, Myanmar introduced right-hand traffic at the order of dictator U Ne Win, who was then chairman of the Revolutionary Council. Until then, vehicles in Myanmar had driven on the left-hand side of the road.

READ ALSO:   Are the fingerings for saxophone and clarinet the same?

When did Myanmar start driving on the right?

December 6, 1970
For those of you who aren’t über history nerds, here’s a fun fact — 46 years ago today, on December 6, 1970, Myanmar made the super radical change from driving on the left side of the road to driving on the right side.

Why is Myanmar right-hand drive?

Myanmar (formerly Burma) was a British colony until 1948, and drove on the left until 1970, when it changed sides. It is said that the ruler of the country at that time, dictator General Ne Win, ordered everyone to start driving on the right side of the road.

Which country changed which side of the road they drive on?

Sweden
On Sunday, September 3, 1967, Sweden changed from driving on the left-hand side of the road to driving on the right. As you might imagine, this switch was anything but easy. The decision to move to the other side of the road was not taken lightly.

READ ALSO:   Where should I live if I want to work in the film industry?

Why are steering wheels on the left side?

In the early 20th century, the steering wheel began to appear increasingly on the left. This was a natural progression: it enables those who are driving on the right to better gauge how to pass an oncoming car safely, and it also makes it easier for passengers to board from the pavement.

Why is the steering wheel on the right side of a car in Europe?

In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving.

Why did Sweden switch to right-hand drive?

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.