In which European country does traffic flow on the left hand side of the road?

In the United Kingdom, traffic flows on the left-hand side of the road. Drivers normally keep left and overtake on the right, a pattern that applies across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The practice has deep historical roots. An English law governing London Bridge in 1756 required carriages to keep to one side, helping formalise the left-hand convention in a busy urban setting. Similar rules later spread throughout the British Empire, which is why many countries including Australia, India, South Africa and New Zealand still use left-hand traffic.

The United Kingdom is unusual in Europe but not unique. Ireland, Cyprus and Malta also drive on the left. Most European countries instead use right-hand traffic, and drivers crossing the English Channel must adjust immediately when entering France.

“Left-hand traffic” describes the side of the road vehicles use, not the position of the steering wheel. UK cars may be right-hand-drive, but the two terms are related rather than identical. UK speed limits are generally posted in miles per hour.