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Why do they drive on the left in Australia?
NCSEC.com ^ | 2/25/25 | Carol Richmond

Posted on 05/05/2025 12:05:07 PM PDT by DallasBiff

Australia drives on the left side of the road, and the reason for this is straightforward: historical influence from Great Britain. As a British colony until 1901, Australia adopted many British customs and laws, including the practice of driving on the left. This was not a unique decision; many other former British colonies also inherited this system, but let’s dive deeper into the history and the how’s and why’s of this driving norm.

(Excerpt) Read more at ncesc.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: australia; drivingontheleft

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Well several years ago I got a good deal on an airline flight to Sydney.

Then also I got a great deal for a rental car, an automatic transmission for 125 Us dollars for a week.

Went from Sydney to Katoombah, and I had to say to myself, stay in the left lane, that is the slow lane, and there were at least two speed traps along the way.

1 posted on 05/05/2025 12:05:07 PM PDT by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff

To avoid the dingoes?


2 posted on 05/05/2025 12:05:55 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff

Because that’s the direction their toilets flush


3 posted on 05/05/2025 12:08:01 PM PDT by monkeyshine (live and let live is dead)
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To: DallasBiff

“Why do they drive on the left in Australia?”

Because they’re wrong.


4 posted on 05/05/2025 12:11:38 PM PDT by D_Idaho ("For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...")
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To: DallasBiff

Does Australia traffic use Roundabouts, as they do in Scotland
and England? I’ve heard they can be hectic and very confusing for many tourists.


5 posted on 05/05/2025 12:15:00 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: DallasBiff

When we were in Ireland, going straight was easy but turn on another road, watch out.


6 posted on 05/05/2025 12:15:12 PM PDT by Mean Daddy
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To: lee martell

Pretty much roundabouts are everywhere now.


7 posted on 05/05/2025 12:16:11 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: lee martell

Do they still have the “Michigan Left”?


8 posted on 05/05/2025 12:17:35 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

Now, I’m hearing that song ‘Roundabout’ by the group Yes.
Ear Worm alert!


9 posted on 05/05/2025 12:17:50 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell

XTC - English Roundabout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSIyaZoG0sU


10 posted on 05/05/2025 12:18:48 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

It’s been so long since I’ve lived in Michigan, vs just visiting at Christmastime, I really don’t know if they do or not. I do know, the freeways seem to be much, much wider in the Detroit area, compared to near me in the Bay Area.
That may just be my perception. I’m a moody driver, at times.


11 posted on 05/05/2025 12:21:05 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell
Does Australia traffic use Roundabouts, as they do in Scotland and England? I’ve heard they can be hectic and very confusing for many tourists

I saw a couple and had to remind my self, stay left.

12 posted on 05/05/2025 12:21:31 PM PDT by DallasBiff (Apology not accepted.la is not the sharpest knife in the drawer)
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To: dfwgator

Well, thanks. May as well listen to it.


13 posted on 05/05/2025 12:22:08 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell

For others who don’t know. When I lived in Michigan, they don’t allow left turns at the light, you have to go past the light make a U-Turn and then turn right.


14 posted on 05/05/2025 12:22:16 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff

Nonstops from JFK to Sydney starting next year.

Plan JFK-SYD nonstop, Indian-Pacific train to Perth, PER-LHR nonstop, back home from London - Boston.

Circumnavigation in less than a week. What a world.


15 posted on 05/05/2025 12:24:04 PM PDT by Jim Noble (Assez de mensonges et de phrases)
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To: dfwgator

I am not a fan of roundabouts.


16 posted on 05/05/2025 12:24:22 PM PDT by hoosierham (Freedom isnt free)
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To: hoosierham

17 posted on 05/05/2025 12:27:21 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: lee martell

I’ve never been to Australia but have spent time in England and particularly the BVI and Cayman Islands.

Getting a car with right hand drive is important. It is both a good reminder as well as an important visibility aid at intersections.

It’s interesting to notice that tourists (and myself at times) look the wrong way for traffic when trying to cross the street. It’s funny how conditioned we become to a particular pattern.

Also interesting to note how efficient the traffic circles are in these countries. It’s the combination of drivers knowing how to properly use them and traffic circles properly sized for a smooth transition entering and exiting the circle.

Many cities here are trying to incorporate traffic circles in place of four way stops and traffic lights. But those two issues prevent their success. Ignorant drivers and vastly undersized circles for smooth functioning.


18 posted on 05/05/2025 12:27:32 PM PDT by sjmjax
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To: DallasBiff

I can understand Australia, (that’s Australia, NOT Australian), but why do they drive on the left in JAPAN?


19 posted on 05/05/2025 12:28:24 PM PDT by Psalm 73 ("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
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To: dfwgator

Hey boy, you tryin’ to spackle my buttcrack with Cool Whip?


20 posted on 05/05/2025 12:34:08 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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