adrienne probably has it closest to actuality:

In the old days, it was necessary to keep the right arm free to yank out those big old swords

The other reason was because the sheep used to be driven along the right side of the road, so the cars had to give way to the sheep - guess that's why the sheep stayed on the right and the cars stayed on the left!

Would you believe that there have been studies made of these things?

Have a nice drive today, y'all!

Dear Indy and Clifton,

Unless things have changed very much in the two years since I became a landlubber, the red light on the front of the boat is on the left (port) side, and boats pass so that they can see each others red lights and keep to their own right (starboard).

When traveling on the Mississippi, as on all other marked estuaries, lakes and rivers the rule is "red right returning". That is the channel is between the red and green markers and you, again, keep to the right of the center of the channel.

RE: the OP's question...

The following website might explain some things. Sure sounds interesting! (And according to the website, when America was first colonized, everyone drove on the left until the late 1700's or so. Hmmmm...)

http://www.travel-library.com/genera...hich_side.html

Educational abd Interesting Post..

This is a great post....
I have been laughing for 10 mins at Harzers fantastic and no doubt very accurate Irish scenario...

Well done !!
Muck
Oh by the way if I can stop chuckling I will try and find out something too...lol
;-)

Ok..here is a possible explanation, but I doubt if its the only one.lol

"There are various theories on why people in Britain drive on the left side of the road.
One idea is that left side driving arose from a recommendation issued at Lancashire Quarter Sessions (the administrative court for Lancashire County that met four times per year) on the 6th August 1795. Several accidents having occurred through poorly regulated traffic, owners of carriages were advised ?to give directions to their servants, and to all coachmen, postilions, wagons, carters, etc. to observe the following rule in driving, viz., always keep on the left side of the street or road?by keeping on the left side of the street or road is meant that every driver shall keep his left hand to the wall or fence.?

An article in the Times (London) suggests that left-side driving results from the fact that carriage drivers liked to sit on the right to give their whip hands more freedom. "

mmm

Muck

Ira,

you're right and my mind was certainly not in it this time. It has been awhile but I don't lnow why I didn't recall watching out for the red.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navru...s/Rule1415.htm

For the statistically inclined. Do not forget the millions living in African countries that were colonised by the British and hence drive that way.