gwstang
Platinum Member
Interesting info, thanks. I have wondered why boats were steered from the right side. How did we (USA) get started on steering on the left side?
Mounting mirrors on a Kubota B2650?
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3Lfarms
Platinum Member
I was always told the here in the States, it's from driving horse drawn wagons. Most people are right handed, therefore you would hold all the reins with the right hand. That meant you had to sit toward the left so the reins stayed centered.
Then, since you were sitting on the left side of the wagon, you would drive to the right so when passing oncoming wagons, you had a better view of the wheels and axles as the two wagons passed on a narrow road.
Then, since you were sitting on the left side of the wagon, you would drive to the right so when passing oncoming wagons, you had a better view of the wheels and axles as the two wagons passed on a narrow road.
gwstang
Platinum Member
Interesting.
gwstang
Platinum Member
Ok, I just had to do some research. On The Right Side of the Road - General Highway History - Highway History -
Federal Highway Administration
Ahhh, all the old western movies I grew up on had it all wrong. I did not know that the teamsters would ride the left back horse. They didn't sit on "the wagon seat". Now I have to find a snowflake support group to "Help" me make it through this trying ordeal...lol
"In the late 1700s, traffic in the United States was RHT based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver's seat, so the (typically right-handed) postilion held his whip in his right hand and thus sat on the left rear horse. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons".
Federal Highway Administration
Ahhh, all the old western movies I grew up on had it all wrong. I did not know that the teamsters would ride the left back horse. They didn't sit on "the wagon seat". Now I have to find a snowflake support group to "Help" me make it through this trying ordeal...lol
"In the late 1700s, traffic in the United States was RHT based on teamsters' use of large freight wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. The wagons had no driver's seat, so the (typically right-handed) postilion held his whip in his right hand and thus sat on the left rear horse. Seated on the left, the driver preferred that other wagons pass him on the left so that he could be sure to keep clear of the wheels of oncoming wagons".
OP
