Why do French people drive on the right side?

England was the first nation to pass an official rule, in 1773, which made driving on the left the law. France, on the other hand, chose to drive on the right. All of a sudden, being rich and ostentatious was asking for trouble, so the aristocrats did their best to blend in with the poor on the right side of the road.

Which side of the road do you walk on in France?

In France, traffic runs on the right side of the road. Therefore, you must think that, when you cross the road, the best thing to do is to look to the left first, then to the right. In Paris this is a good start (especially if your country drives on the left), however, this is not enough!

Do the French drive on the right or left?

The French drive on the right side of the road, like most European countries. If you’re hiring a car and haven’t driven on the right before you will have to get used to the steering wheel being on the left-hand side of the vehicle. Start out driving defensively until you get used to it.

Do people in Paris drive on the right side?

The most important thing to know about driving in Paris is that you’ll be driving on the right side of the road. Travelers visiting Paris from the United States will enjoy a relatively easy transition – the layout of your rental car and some of the rules of the road are similar.

When did France drive on the right?

Left-hand traffic finally became the law of the land in Britain after the passage of government measures in 1773 and 1835, but the opposite tradition prevailed in France, which favored the right as early as the 18th century.

Can you enter zebra lines in France?

All passengers must wear seat-belts. Children under the age of 10 are not allowed in front seats. Headlights must of course be used at night, but also in fog, mist or poor visibility during the day. You must stop at Zebra crossings – this is now enforced by law.

Which side of the road do you walk on when driving?

As others have stated rules in EU/US/UK usually say that you should walk on the opposite side of the traffic (left side in countries that drive on the right and on the right side in countries which drive on the left).

Why did Britain and France drive on the same side of road?

Amidst all this driving confusion, the British and the French were yielding their power across the globe, and as part of their rapid colonization, they insisted that the countries they occupied drive on the same side of the road.

Why do we drive on the left in the UK?

The British Government refused to give up their left-hand driving ways, and in 1773 introduced the General Highways Act, which encouraged driving on the left. This was later made law thanks to The Highway Act of 1835. Meanwhile post-revolution France, under their left-handed ruler Napoleon, embraced a permanent move to the right side of the road.

How many people drive on the left side of the road?

Around 35 percent of the world population does the same, including people in Ireland, Japan, and some Caribbean islands. Originally, almost everybody traveled on the left side of the road, according to BBC America. However, their mode of transport was quite different from today: Think four legs instead of four wheels.