There are various theories as to why not all the countries drive on the same side of the road. But, one thing is for sure, there have to be laws that regulate which side of the road people drive on. That way, the risk of head-on collisions is significantly lower, and it’s easier to organize the road infrastructure, as well as position traffic lights and road signs. So, for practical reasons, people can’t drive on whichever side they want to, and some countries have decided to drive on the left side, while others – on the right side of the road. So far, no one has been able to offer a theory on this subject, that would be widely accepted as accurate and well-founded.

It’s a well-known fact that most people are, right-handed. Not just nowadays, but it has been so throughout the ages, as well. That’s why people in the Middle Ages preferred to walk on the left side of the road, so that their right arm can be closer to oncoming people and can pull out their swords and defend themselves easier, since there was a lot of violence those days, and you could’ve been attacked at any time, so you always had to be prepared for a fight.

A little later, during the 18^th century, people started moving on the right side of the road on their horse-drawn carriages. Back then, teamsters used to sit on the left-hand horse, so that they can lash the other horses using their right arms. Since they were sitting on the left-hand horse, they wanted to move on the right side of the road, so that they can make sure they avoid colliding with wagons coming from the opposite direction. This method was adopted by most countries in Europe, as well as by people in North America.

People in Great Britain didn’t accept this change and continued to move on the left side. Britain wanted to keep this method and stay unique, and it was transferred in all of their colonies, as well. Japan is a very interesting exception in this regard, as it has never been ruled by Britain, but has always been a left-hand-traffic country. It’s because the British helped Japan built their railway system, and trains started moving on the left side. Later, cars and other motor vehicles just followed suit and this practice still hasn’t changed.

In any case, countries that have left-hand traffic won’t change those rules, as it would be too expensive and complicated to change people’s habits and the whole road infrastructure.

Author: Jordan Perch – Follow him on Google+.

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Is the journey necessary?

Firstly, ask yourself if your journey is really necessary.  If it’s blizzard like conditions outside and you want to go out but don’t really need to, then you might be better off staying indoors.  Or, consider the option of using public transport.

If your journey is necessary, however, then make sure you allow extra time to get to where you need to go, drive slowly and carefully and fully prepare your car before setting out. Check road conditions with your local radio before you leave the house, as well.

Clear your view

If you do need to go out, then make sure your windows and mirrors are clear from any snow and ice.  De-ice frozen windows with a scraper.  Use the car’s air conditioning to help demist the windows and reduce any condensation.

Don’t forget about removing snow from your number plates.  If they are illegible, then you could get fined.

Make sure you remove accumulations of snow off your roof as well, as this could present a real hazard to other drivers if it falls and obscures their view.

Check that snow isn’t blocking the exhaust as it can cause dangerous fumes to escape into the car.

Check your tires

Make sure your tires are in good condition and can cope with winter driving.  Ensure they are fully inflated and that the tread is at least 3mm.  All season or winter tires have a high silica content in the tread, which makes them better for coping with the winter elements – so consider changing yours over.

Antifreeze

No car owner should be without some antifreeze during the harsh months, as it can help protect your engine from getting damaged from freezing up.  Always use the correct type of antifreeze for your car, and never mix different ones together.

Battery power 

Keep a check on your battery when the weather turns bad.  Most batteries don’t last longer than five years, so get yours replaced if it’s nearing the end of its shelf life.  Try not to over-run electrical systems, as they can eat away at the battery.

Be prepared

Always be prepared in case you end up getting stranded on the road.  Make sure you have warm clothing and a blanket, water, a flask and some snacks, and your mobile phone.  Let people know where you are going when you’re out and about.

Drive safely

Bigger roads are more likely to have been gritted, so divert for your journey if possible to make use of these roads.  It stands to reason that you should never drive too fast when the roads are covered in snow, and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.  Don’t rely on your brakes, as they might let you down if the surface is icy.  Stay in a high gear that will give you better control of your vehicle and keep to a low speed when descending down a hill.

By Ben Frisby . You can find Ben on Google + for more information.

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If you know that your region will experience a fair amount of snow and ice during the winter you should consider fitting winter tires to your vehicle. These are made from a much harder compound than standard tires and have a tread pattern that stops snow from clogging up your wheels, giving you much more traction than standard tires.

Reducing your speed is an obvious thing to say but you also need to make sure that you retain enough speed to give your car enough momentum to get up any gradients in the road. Try and find a speed that you feel comfortable with and don’t stop unless you have to as you may find it very difficult to get started again.

If you feel your vehicle starts to slide or skid, which happens all too easily when driving in the snow and ice, you need to very gently turn your steering wheel in the direction that you want to go and not into the skid as you may have thought. Also make sure that you keep your foot well away from the brake pedal to start with. Once the vehicle has started to turn in the correct direction, if you feel that you are still going too fast, apply some very gentle pressure to the brake pedal making sure to ‘feather’ it so you don’t put the vehicle into another skid.

Carrying snow chains in your vehicle is a great idea because they will help get you out of sticky situations. However you need to make sure that you actually know how to fit the chains quickly and easily as it will be cold when you need them and you want to spend the least amount of time in the elements as possible. You should also carry a tarpaulin in your car to kneel on when you have to fit the chains as your legs will soon get cold and wet, which will quickly lower your body temperature.

Carrying a shovel and some cat litter or sand is a good idea if you are taking a long journey in the snow. The shovel will help you free your wheels if they get bogged down in the snow and spreading some sand or cat litter will help your vehicle achieve much better traction and get you on your way a little quicker.

Make sure that you keep an eye on any vehicles in front or behind you so that you are not taken by surprise if they get into trouble and can get out of the way if they do. Keep your windows clear of snow and clean, even if this means that you have to pull over in a safe place every now and then to do it.

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