# How hard would it be for the UK to start driving on the right?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 8, 2010, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131 "2010-02-08T12:16:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/1 "2010-02-08T12:16:01Z")
Let’s say that we decided that the manufacture of RHD cars was becoming obsolete/ we figured that a global system of driving was inherently more safe in the long term.
So we decide we need to drive on the right from now on. How would a change like that get done whilst minimizing accidents? Would any new roads be needed or our roads adequate and only the signs would need changing? Assuming it was decided now how long would the process be likely to take?
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### Author:  [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/2 "2010-02-08T12:29:36Z")
Sweden did this in 1967, however most of the cars there were already LHD.
> **[Dagen H](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H)**
>
> Dagen H (H-day), today usually called "Högertrafikomläggningen" (lit. 'the right-hand traffic reorganisation'), was on 3 September 1967, the day in which Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. The "H" stands for "Högertrafik", the Swedish word for right-hand traffic. It was by far the largest logistical event in Sweden's history.
> There were various arguments for the change:
> However, the change was unpopular; in a 1955 referendum, 83 percent voted to keep ...
In the UK since every car there is RHD it would be much more difficult.
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### Author:  [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/3 "2010-02-08T12:34:19Z")
> [@coremelt](#):
>
> Sweden did this in 1967, however most of the cars there were already LHD.
Only buses, trams and similar vehicles were RHD, so it all went very smoothly, as it did in Austria in 1960 (if I remember correctly).
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### Author:  [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/4 "2010-02-08T12:34:43Z")
Here’s some info on how we made the change in 1967:
> **[Dagen H](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H)**
>
> Dagen H (H-day), today usually called "Högertrafikomläggningen" (lit. 'the right-hand traffic reorganisation'), was on 3 September 1967, the day in which Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. The "H" stands for "Högertrafik", the Swedish word for right-hand traffic. It was by far the largest logistical event in Sweden's history.
> There were various arguments for the change:
> However, the change was unpopular; in a 1955 referendum, 83 percent voted to keep ...
Basically there was a huge advertisement scheme long before the change, together with double sets of signs and road markings that were quickly interchanged by thousands of workers (by removing plastic covers) during 5 hours of prohibited traffic. I wasn’t even born when this happened, but from what I’ve heard, the change went rather well here.
Of course, it would be even more of a planning nightmare in a country like the UK.
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### Author:  [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/5 "2010-02-08T12:44:48Z")
> [@Henrichek](#):
>
> … from what I’ve heard, the change went rather well here.
It did. None of the anticipated chaos happened.
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### Author:  [@Hairy\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hairy_Bob)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/6 "2010-02-08T13:01:26Z")
I think it would be pretty difficult to orchestrate in the UK, not only are the vast majority of our cars RHD, but many road junctions are set out specifically to be driven on the left, and would need reworking to facilitate the change.
Never mind the fact that most Britons are stubborn and would see the change as some sort of infringement, there would be massive backlash against any government that tried to bring it in.
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### Author:  [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/7 "2010-02-08T13:11:16Z")
It would be a massive waste of money and would also be seen as completely pointless by the public, which would possibly make it politically impossible.
It’s not only the road signs and lane set up that needs changing, it’s the stuff like the driving tests. The hazard perception test cost a hell of a lot of money to film (though I don’t remember exactly how much, a quick google search runs up dry on information for some reason).
It would probably be easier for Australia.
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### Author:  [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/8 "2010-02-08T13:29:54Z")
Objectively there’s no advantage to either way of doing it, so there’s no cost/benefit argument for change (and the Irish Republic would be forced to change at the same time). Japan would still drive on the left whatever we did here.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/9 "2010-02-08T13:41:56Z")
> [@Hairy\_Bob](#):
>
> I think it would be pretty difficult to orchestrate in the UK, not only are the vast majority of our cars RHD, but many road junctions are set out specifically to be driven on the left, and would need reworking to facilitate the change.
I believe it used to be the case, back in the 70s/80s, that road junctions were built and planned with reversal of traffic flow in mind (at least I remember several people telling me that, including my driving instructor).
Clearly this can’t be the case any longer though - we have multiple traffic lights on roundabouts, and huge open light-controlled junctions (where previously, there might have been a very large roundabout).
> [@](#):
>
> Never mind the fact that most Britons are stubborn and would see the change as some sort of infringement, there would be massive backlash against any government that tried to bring it in.
There certainly would be vociferous complaint, but that’s normal for us Brits anyway, and it’s usually pretty impotent.
But as others have said - there’s no real reason to change now - we’re an island, so don’t have to worry about switching sides at the borders, and cars are now approaching drive-by-wire design, which means creating two separate versions isn’t a big deal for the factory and might ultimately result in cars that can be switched back and forth between RHD and LHD by the user.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/10 "2010-02-08T13:50:54Z")
That said, maybe we should try it - I propose a pilot scheme - maybe buses and taxis could start driving on the right and if that works OK, everyone else later.
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### Author:  [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/11 "2010-02-08T14:09:40Z")
> [@Mangetout](#):
>
> That said, maybe we should try it - I propose a pilot scheme - maybe buses and taxis could start driving on the right and if that works OK, everyone else later.
If you have dedicated bus lanes, that actually could work.
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### Author:  [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/12 "2010-02-08T14:11:25Z")
I hope you’re not serious. How, exactly, would the buses and taxis drive on the right, and everyone else on the left?
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### Author:  [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/13 "2010-02-08T14:17:24Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#):
>
> I hope you’re not serious. How, exactly, would the buses and taxis drive on the right, and everyone else on the left?
In separate lanes, of course. There are already many dedicated bus lanes in the UK, and taxis could travel in them too. It may not be a wonderful idea, but it’s not completely impossible!
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### Author:  [@Uncertain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncertain)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/14 "2010-02-08T14:51:59Z")
> [@coremelt](#):
>
> Sweden did this in 1967, however most of the cars there were already LHD.
>
> [Dagen H - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H)
>
> In the UK since every car there is RHD it would be much more difficult.
So why would this be a problem for the UK? The situation _after_ a switch in the UK would be analogous to the situation _before_ the switch in Sweden, which apparently wasn’t so bad.
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### Author:  [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/15 "2010-02-08T15:12:46Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#):
>
> I hope you’re not serious. How, exactly, would the buses and taxis drive on the right, and everyone else on the left?
Whoosh…
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### Author:  [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/16 "2010-02-08T15:23:48Z")
Don’t you hate it when people take your jokes and run with them as viable public works projects?
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### Author:  [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/17 "2010-02-08T15:27:01Z")
> [@Uncertain](#):
>
> So why would this be a problem for the UK? The situation _after_ a switch in the UK would be analogous to the situation _before_ the switch in Sweden, which apparently wasn’t so bad.
Overtaking was not the easiest thing to do, but, on the other hand, drivers were used to it and didn’t realise there was a better option than to place the whole car in the opposite lane to see if the coast was clear.
A couple of years before the changeover I read some interviews in a newspaper with people coming home from a car holiday on the continent and their thoughts about driving on the right side. One person said he liked it so much that he played with thoughts about buying a RHD car. :smack:
BTW [This junction](http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Stockholm,+Sweden&ll=59.320623,18.071995&spn=0.002693,0.006899&t=k&z=17) in central Stockholm, connecting five or six roads with each other, was planned in the thirties and it worked even better when driving on the right side (and now the bastards in charge want to tear it down and replace it with something totally different).
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### Author:  [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/18 "2010-02-08T18:02:06Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#):
>
> I hope you’re not serious. How, exactly, would the buses and taxis drive on the right, and everyone else on the left?
He’s making a joke.
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### Author:  [@tetranz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetranz)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/19 "2010-02-08T18:24:04Z")
I haven’t been to the UK but surely there are highway junctions which for some reason don’t have all four ramps, ie off and on in both directions. If you change, then you might only have an on ramp where you previously only had an off ramp. That could cause a major change in traffic patterns etc. It would be a totally unnecessary nightmare.
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### Author:  [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-would-it-be-for-the-uk-to-start-driving-on-the-right/528131/20 "2010-02-08T18:37:49Z")
> [@tetranz](#):
>
> I haven’t been to the UK but surely there are highway junctions which for some reason don’t have all four ramps, ie off and on in both directions. If you change, then you might only have an on ramp where you previously only had an off ramp. That could cause a major change in traffic patterns etc. It would be a totally unnecessary nightmare.
Note - a “full” interchange involving two crossing roads will actually have eight entrances and exits (1 exit and 1 merging entrance for each direction of travel). Not all of them will be “ramps”, of course - your classic “cloverleaf” has 4 ramps, and 4 long sweeping curves. The point is well taken, anyway. There were presumably reasons for allowing traffic on but not off, and vice-versa, at various interchanges, and changing sides is likely to mess up the pattern.
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