| Hiring a car is the easiest way to to get to | | | | The European left-driving countries one by |
| and from Dublin Airport, but some people. | | | | one changed to right-hand traffic. The last |
| never drove a right hand drive car before. | | | | country who joined the 'right side', was |
| You might think it is uncomfortable or even | | | | Iceland. The change took place in 1968. |
| dangerous. Don't be afraid. It's actually | | | | Today, only 4 European countries still drive |
| easier than you think. Here are a few tips on | | | | on the left: Cyprus, Malta, Great Britain and |
| driving your rental car on the Irish roads. | | | | Ireland. |
| | | | |
| One of Ireland's Senator suggested Irish | | | | It would be very difficult to change the |
| motorist should drive on the right side of | | | | traffic directionality in Ireland because of |
| the road to facilitate tourists and | | | | the heavy traffic and the amount of cars -1.8 |
| foreigners when they drive on Irish roads. | | | | million - on Irish roads. |
| | | | |
| I admit that his idea made me thinking. A | | | | Although driving a rental car on the left |
| couple of questions came to my mind, like, | | | | side of the road is as safe as driving on the |
| "Did European countries always drive on the | | | | right side. There are a couple of basic |
| left ? " | | | | things to remember. If you are familiar with |
| | | | them, you can just relax and enjoy your |
| "Did everybody drive on the left and later | | | | driving holiday. |
| switched to right-hand traffic?" | | | | |
| | | | Here are a few driving tips when you drive a |
| "Why and when did it happen?" | | | | rental car in Ireland. |
| | | | |
| Let's check out the history of right- and | | | | If you never drove right hand drive car |
| left-hand traffic in Europe and overseas. | | | | before, book a car with automatic |
| | | | transmission. This would ease driving, and |
| In the past, almost the whole world travelled | | | | you don't have to worry about changing gear |
| on the left side of the road. It was more | | | | with left hand. |
| convenient for a right-handed person to mount | | | | |
| a horse from the left side of the horse, | | | | Before you hit the road, get familiar with |
| especially if he wore a sword.. | | | | the car's controls and equipments. When you |
| | | | sit in a right-hand drive car, the car's |
| Later, Napoleon spread the right-hand traffic | | | | controls are exactly at the same place as in |
| all over Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, | | | | a left-hand drive car. Pedals from right to |
| Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Russia and many | | | | left are accelerator pedal, brake pedal, |
| parts of Spain and Italy. Probably because he | | | | clutch pedal (if it is a manual car). The |
| was left-handed and he wanted to be different | | | | hand brake lever is on your left. |
| than the English. | | | | |
| | | | Take a look at the speedometer too. In 2005 |
| Although Britain, the Austro-Hungarian Empire | | | | the measurement of speed limits on Irish |
| and Portugal had resisted. The division | | | | roads was changed from miles per hour to |
| between left- and right-hand nations remained | | | | kilometres per hour. The speedometer measures |
| until after the First World War. England and | | | | in km/h only or both in km/h and mph, but km |
| France founded many colonies, which had to | | | | h is pre-dominant. |
| follow the rules of London or Paris. England | | | | |
| had its influence i.e. in Australia, India, | | | | Take your car around the block at Dublin |
| Kenya, Indonesia and New Guinea. Congo, | | | | Airport, or drive a few minutes in the rental |
| Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, South- and Central | | | | company's car park. |
| America and parts of Africa had to follow | | | | |
| France's right-hand traffic. | | | | When you are familiar with your rental car, |
| | | | hit the Irish roads. Keep always left! Many |
| There was also a right- and left-hand traffic | | | | car hire companies put a small sticker saying |
| divison between Canada and the US. From | | | | "keep left" on the dashboard. |
| Quebec to Louisiana people drove on the right | | | | |
| because it was controlled by the French. | | | | After a couple of days you will definitely |
| While territories occupied by the English - | | | | get used to driving on the left side. |
| British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, | | | | |
| Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland - kept | | | | So don't be afraid to drive in Ireland. |
| left. | | | | |
| | | | Enjoy your holiday to the full. Discover the |
| In the 1920's British Columbia and the | | | | spectacular natural beauty and the ancient |
| Atlantic provinces changed to right-hand | | | | history. |
| traffic in order to conform with the rest of | | | | |
| Canada and the USA. | | | | As the Irish say "Turas maith" - Bon Voyage ! |
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