Should Pakistan switch to driving on the right side of the road?

[Aspen]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

 

[Pakistansdefender]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

It didn't complicate anything.
They learn. And nobody is coming from Iran and driving cars here. And besides its usually Pakistanis driving the trucks to and from China.
When we go to their country we learn their language. When they come to our country they effing well learn to drive our way..

 

[Mkhizar]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

I was reading an article where it stated that the China currently is the world's largest source of outbound tourists. I reckon in the future it's only going to get better. By attracting such a big tourists population which is at over doorsteps we can greatly enhance our economic potential. I mean their are many countries which are not even blessed with such diverse natural beauty and historical sites as our country, yet those countries are earning alot from tourism. We certainly have alot of potential which needs to be capitalized.

 

[R Wing]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? I am genuinely curious and not trolling.

It didn't complicate anything.
They learn. And nobody is coming from Iran and driving cars here. And besides its usually Pakistanis driving the trucks to and from China.
When we go to their country we learn their language. When they come to our country they effing well learn to drive our way..

LOL, exactly. My dad drove from the UK to Pakistan decades ago.

Plus, will we change entire road infrastructure and feeder entry/exit ramps and so on?

 

[GHALIB]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

that is a good idea .

 

[Zibago]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

That would be a disaster

 

[masterchief_mirza]

Switching sides of driving when crossing borders is not rocket science and it doesn't inhibit tourism or trade.

Brits do it with France every single day.

 

[Imran Khan]

A general was reason that today we are in mess . It was cabnet meeting 1950s but one stupid general refused full story is in books . We should do it 1950s

 

[Prince Kassad]

No. It will just cause chaos, because literally everyone in that country is used to left-side driving. It will even cost more, because every single traffic sign, would be needed to dig from the ground and carried on the other side of the road. Same goes for traffic lights. It will just be a waste of time, money, and eventually cause a lot of accidents and chaos

 

[Trango Towers]

I have always noticed that part of the reason so few people from Pakistan drive to neighboring countries is because they drive on the right side whereas Pakistan drives on the left side of the road. For someone wanting to do a road trip from say China to Pakistan or Iran to Pakistan, this makes it difficult to drive. It also complicates CPEC because trucks that drive from China and Pakistan will have issue on the other side. Why hasn't Pakistan changed to driving on the right side of the road like all of its neighbors? It will make trade and tourism by road easier for both Pakistan and its neighbors.

I wish they drove on one side. Any side will do. We Pakistani love to drive in the middle of the road. Amary baap ke road hai na

 

[Aspen]

No. It will just cause chaos, because literally everyone in that country is used to left-side driving. It will even cost more, because every single traffic sign, would be needed to dig from the ground and carried on the other side of the road. Same goes for traffic lights. It will just be a waste of time, money, and eventually cause a lot of accidents and chaos

Honestly if they redo the entire road network, it is probably a good thing. Quality of roads in many areas across Pakistan needs serious work and a total rethink. It is the perfect opportunity to overhaul everything and finally implement real urban planning and new stronger road laws. Pakistan will have to do this at some point no matter what, the only question is when. Given the current state of Pakistani road infrastructure, the sooner we do this, the better. The only way to fix something in such a bad state is to just overhaul and start from scratch. In grand scheme of things, changing side of road will not be a big deal compared to all the other things that have to be done to repair, upgrade, and overhaul road infrastructure across Pakistan.

 

[Rusty]

YES! A MILLION TIMES YES
You only have to look at this picture to know why.

All 3 of our neighbors who we have open borders with drive on the right side.
The neighbor that we can't ever travel to is on the same size as us.

Do you know how much that means for our economy if we simply drove on the same side as our neighbors that we can trade with?

Also, our entire infrastructure, from cities to roads need to be redone.

I say focus on the economy for the next 10-20 years, then have a massive re-development boom where we switch over.

 

[Nefarious]

People can't drive in a straight line and overtake properly there and you want them to switch sides. Bs idea

Everyone in the UK when driving in europe has to deal with driving on the opposite,its not that complicated...if you can't handle it then you shouldn't drive.

 

[Aspen]

YES! A MILLION TIMES YES
You only have to look at this picture to know why.

All 3 of our neighbors who we have open borders with drive on the right side.
The neighbor that we can't ever travel to is on the same size as us.

Do you know how much that means for our economy if we simply drove on the same side as our neighbors that we can trade with?

Also, our entire infrastructure, from cities to roads need to be redone.

I say focus on the economy for the next 10-20 years, then have a massive re-development boom where we switch over.

This is what I had in mind as well. Glad someone understands what I’m saying.

As you said there needs to be a 10-20 year development boom and then a switchover. If you give notice of 10 years that should be more than enough for people to get ready for it.

 

[Aspen]

Everyone in the UK when driving in europe has to deal with driving on the opposite,its not that complicated...if you can't handle it then you shouldn't drive.

If it’s so easy in UK, then why is it such a big deal to switch it in Pakistan?