08-04-2010
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Blacktown
Posts: 232
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Road Rules - 1820 style
I was looking for something on the internet and, as is so often the case, found something totally unrelated, but nevertheless interesting - a proclamation dating from 1820 by the then Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. It explains why drivers in Australia have to drive on the left hand side of the road.
Quote:
Government and general order; persons driving vehicles to observe regulations in force in England to keep to the left side of the road.
15 August 1820
Much inconvenience & delay accompanied by danger of personal injury, arising to persons travelling on the Highways, either on foot or on horseback, or with Cars, Carts, Drays, Waggons, Timber, & other carriages, owing to horsemen & the drivers of the said carriages of every description, either intentionally driving, or suffering their Cattle to cross the Roads, instead of Keeping them steadily on their proper side, the Governor is pleased to order and direct, that all persons driving Cars, Carts, Drays, Waggons, Timber & other Carriages shall observe the same regulations as directed in England, by keeping and driving their carriages of whatever description, on the own left side, commonly called the near side of the Roads, on pain of being fined by a bench of Magistrates, any sum not exceeding Ten shillings of every such offence:- One half where of is to go to the person or persons proving the fact, and the other moiety in aid of the Police Funds:- The constables and other Peace Officers are hereby called on and directed to be vigilant in enforcing this order without distinction of persons, as will answer for the Contrary at their peril.
Signed
Lachlan Macquarie
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Transcript - Drivers keep to the left — State Records NSW
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