Keeping to the left in Europe became the norm when people used a path or
road since Bodicea was a pup. Passing on the left meant that ones sword
arm (the majority were right handed) was closest to potential antagonists
and thus they were in the best defence position. Thus traffic followed the
same protocol.
It may be considered an insult to suggest that the English in America
("Americans" did not exist until after 1776) graduated to the right because
their money was usually kept in their right pocket or in their shoulder bag
slung over their left shoulder and hanging down on their right
hip. Keeping to the right thus kept the cash away from a passerby. But
then again if you consider 17th century arms, the musket and pistol, it is
easier to shoot targets to your left rather than to your right. The angle
between your shoulders and firearm holding arm is more comfortable at less
than 90 degrees against more than 90 degrees. So maybe with the English
starting in America with no roads and no protocol they eased into
walking/riding/carting on the right. It would also seem that the Red
Indian bow would be better fired to the left as well and they were there first!
At 12:50 AM 1/19/05, Paul Hunt wrote:
>For the same reason your teenage kids can't be seen to do anything the way
>their parents do it ...
>
>And most of us still do (drive on the left).
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <yd3@nvc.net>
>To: "mgs" <mgs@Autox.Team.Net>; "mgt" <mg-t@Autox.Team.Net>; "mgtabc"
><mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 6:38 AM
>Subject: Why do (or did) the British drive on the left.
>
>
> > Why didn't America bear left?
Regards
Barrie Robinson
barrie@look.ca
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