Why do trucks drive on the right side?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) began using right-sided steering trucks for rural delivery routes to make it easier for mail carriers to reach roadside mailboxes and so carriers in the city can get out without stepping into traffic.

Why should you pass a large truck on the left and not the right?

Chances of the driver not seeing you are increased if you are on that side of the truck. It is also good to remember that you should always pass cars on the left because those are the passing lanes. According to law, slower traffic is supposed to stay right.

On what side of the road do trucks drive?

In the United States of America, the driver sits on the left-hand side of a car or truck. This, therefore, makes the blind spots on the right-hand side of the vehicle difficult to see. When passing a truck, whether on a busy highway or open road, always pass on the left side.

Why do different countries drive on different sides of the road?

The practice is believed to date back to ancient Rome. Romans steered their carts and chariots with the left hand, to free up the right so they could use weapons to defend against enemy attacks. This carried over into medieval Europe and in 1773, the British government passed measures to make left-hand traffic the law.

Can you pass a truck on the right?

Always Pass on the Left Commercial trucks should only pass on the left. Passing on the right is only allowed during special circumstances and must be done only if necessary and completely safe to do so. Trucks can also change lanes to avoid hazards, but only when necessary and with great caution.

Can lorries drive in the fast lane?

1. Any vehicle can drive in the right-hand lane. On a three-lane motorway, it’s against the law to drive a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight of more than 7.5 tonnes in the outside lane. The same applies to trailers, including caravans, so don’t use the ‘fast lane’ to get to the campsite quicker.

What do truckers do on the road?

Most truck drivers are listening to something on the road, both behind the wheel — as long as you’re staying alert while driving — and during time off in their sleeper berth. If you’re getting bored, find a new audiobook series, explore fresh podcasts or upgrade to satellite radio if you haven’t already.

When should you never drive on the left side of the road?

You must never drive on the left half of the road when pavement markings prohibit driving on the left, when there are two or more traffic lanes in each direction, or when driving within 100 feet of an intersection.

What does a diamond in the road mean?

In the United States and Canada, a diamond lane is a special lane on a street or highway that is reserved for specific types of traffic. These lanes are usually marked with white diamonds or lozenge, hence their name. High-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV), also known as a carpool lane.

Why do we drive on the left side of the road?

The British custom of driving on the left side of the road isn’t a sign of eccentricity—there’s actually a very sensible reason for it. One of the things you probably always wondered about is why we drive on a different side of the road than our British cousins.

Which side of the road do British drivers drive on?

As recently as 1967 (and thanks to around $120 million from their government’s pocket) Swedish drivers began driving on the right. However British drivers remain on the left, and this is highly unlikely to change.

Why did wagon drivers sit on the left side of the road?

In the absence of a driver’s seat inside the wagon, the driver sat on the rear left horse, with his right arm free to use his whip to keep the horses moving. Since he was sitting on the left, he wanted other wagons to pass on his left, so he kept to the right side of the road.

Why is the driver’s seat on the left in a car?

When Henry Ford unveiled his Model T in 1908, the driver’s seat was on the left, meaning that cars would have to drive on the right-hand side of the road to allow front and back passengers to exit the car onto the curb.