OT Question.

[gamekeeper]

I have noticed that in 99% of Westerns, Wagons, Stage Coaches, Buck Boards Etc. the driver sits on the right. My question is, why and when did you guys start driving automobiles from the wrong side

[gunslinger598]

I drive a wagon & cart I built.

The brake and mirror are on the right.

I sit anywhere from the middle to the right.

But I have no idea why it's that way.

[GonnePhishin]

What makes you think that we drive on the wrong side?

[J Miller]

THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROLS ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN BOATS TOO.

GO FIGURE.


JOE

[6pt-sika]

When I was in the Philipinnes every 4 wheeled vehicle I rode in had the steering wheel on the left side just like the vehicles here in the USA !

[Nath]

I wish our controls were on the left, then it would be easier for the shooter on the right unless you are a leftie ofcourse.
When I'm driving my buddy looking for rabbit and any other varmint it's a pain having to swing the car around so he can shoot.

Nath.

[alnitak]

Check out this link for the history:

http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/ ... tm#history

I find some things interesting --

"In the past, almost everybody travelled on the left side of the road because that was the most sensible option for feudal, violent societies. Since most people are right-handed, swordsmen preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent and their scabbard further from him. Moreover, it reduced the chance of the scabbard (worn on the left) hitting other people.

Furthermore, a right-handed person finds it easier to mount a horse from the left side of the horse, and it would be very difficult to do otherwise if wearing a sword (which would be worn on the left). It is safer to mount and dismount towards the side of the road, rather than in the middle of traffic, so if one mounts on the left, then the horse should be ridden on the left side of the road.

In the late 1700s, however, teamsters in France and the United States began hauling farm products in big wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. These wagons had no driver's seat; instead the driver sat on the left rear horse, so he could keep his right arm free to lash the team. Since he was sitting on the left, he naturally wanted everybody to pass on the left so he could look down and make sure he kept clear of the oncoming wagon’s wheels. Therefore he kept to the right side of the road."

[Nath]

Very good Alintak

[rhead]

America was settled late enough that swords were never in common use. Rifles were. If you walk on the right you present a threat to the people you meet, On the left exhibits peaceful intentions. It is somewhat awkward to shoot to your right ( the opposite of carrying a sword). Vehicles travel on the side of the road so that they will not come up behind a pedestrian on the same side of the road. Leastwise that is what they taught when I was in school.
You just thought you were off topic.

[Andrew]

My brother lived in Japan too long. He came home and started driving down main street on the left side. It didn't take me long to correct him though.

[awp101]

when did you guys start driving automobiles from the wrong side

When we wised up...

[Griff]

THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROLS ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN BOATS TOO.
GO FIGURE.
JOE

Only on outboards and outdrives. REAL inboards have the driver is on the left. (my Dad's boat when I was in high school, wished I had it now... 392ci Hemi, dual quads {single in photo}, open headers, 27% overdrive, 605hp on the dyno! Serious speed! Neat waterski boat.)


And we've had cars with steering on both right, left and middle: (I took these on the Tuesday afternoon before the Billy Dixon Shoot. Must have been a classic/antique car rally somewhere, dozens I didn't get pictures of... all kinds...)














Don't know what all the makes are, but some neat ol' cars motorin' around on the high Colorado highways.

[cas]

I think it has something to do with airplane pilots and helicopter pilots.

[Travis Morgan]

Every wagon, buggy, or buckboard I've ever seen or driven had the brake on the right. It's easier to mount them from the left, and not have to step around the brake lever.