Posted by David Bamford on December 22, 2006 at 20:03:28 from 220.253.23.56 user David.
In Reply to: Left vs Right posted by Dan Lind on December 22, 2006 at 17:26:10:
Apparently the green-to-green arose from the bad old days when one could meet a higwayman or other person who might wish one harm. By being on the left side of the track one's sword-carrying right arm was in position to meet the scoundrel. It didn't pay to be left-handed! By the time horseless carriages came on the scene, this was less necessary, and the custom was less observed, with horses and carriages rolling along wherever they pleased. I believe that it was well into the twentieth century before various countries decided to formalise traffic rules for safety's sake. Then, of course, there was the consideration of which side to put the Motorist, or driver, on. Even though France had opted for red-to-red, the French Bugatti motor-car was only ever built in right-hand-drive.
David.