BBC Discussing driving on the right...

[seymansey]

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Could the UK drive on the right?

Could we ever see this being ever executed in the UK? A colossal logistical excercise, not to mention the likely massive rise in accidents, whilst people get used to the idea?

 

[Meldrew2]

Apparently Samoa is changing over today... no doubt why the BBC was talking about it.

The Associated Press: Chaos predicted as Samoa changes driving side

"Critics have predicted traffic chaos in the Pacific island nation of 180,000, and the country is banning alcohol sales for three days as a precaution, the prime minister said"

If I remember, when Sweden changed over, there was actually a FALL in accidents in the first year - probably everyone was taking extra care - but accidents soon returned to their normal level.


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[ringway]

Why not?

Cars only tomorrow.

Trucks and busses the day after.

 

[Nibbo]

All cars will be driving on the right hand side of the carriageway by 2012.
If it is successful lorries and busses will follow soon after!

Edit: D'oh ringway beat me to it!

 

[grober]

Apparently they are changing from driving on the RIGHT to driving on the LEFT like us! The reason given is that they have very close ties to Australia and New Zealand who also have right hand drive cars. The reason they drove on the right like the majority of the European continent was they were once governed by Germany as a protectorate. Samoa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[renault12ts]

Sinister traffic in Samoa - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

 

[WLeg]

I don't think everyone in Nigeria was told about this.

 

[st13phil]

If I remember correctly, the majority of cars in Sweden at the time of changeover in 1967 were left-hand drive anyway (even though they used to drive on the left!) so I'd guess that the improved sightlines that driving a LHD car on the right gives would explain much of the initial accident reduction.

 

[PJH]

Sinister traffic in Samoa - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

It could also help more people escape tsunamis, says Mr. Tuilaepa.

Don't understand how this is relevant to driving on LEFT or RIGHT.

 

[Meldrew2]

It could also help more people escape tsunamis, says Mr. Tuilaepa.
Don't understand how this is relevant to driving on LEFT or RIGHT.

Well, if you are driving on the left, in an anti-clockwise direction around an island, you are 10 feet further from the sea...........

Yeah - I don't understand, either!



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[JumboBeef]

Oh yes, it wouldn't be that expensive to convert all the buses to have their door on the right would it?

 

[SilverSaloon]

i think the country has better things to be spending money on

 

[Rory]

At least we'd be able to get all-wheel-drive Mercedes saloons if we did change!

 

[nunocrzt]

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Could the UK drive on the right?

Could we ever see this being ever executed in the UK? A colossal logistical excercise, not to mention the likely massive rise in accidents, whilst people get used to the idea?

I think it won't happen.