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 August 6, 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.