Driving on the right – Government to announce switch in time for 2012 Olympics

The UK Government will announce today its intention to harmonise driving with Europe by 2012, in time for the UK Olympics. The change has been suggested to help visitors to the Olympics negotiate the journey from the coastal ports to EastLondon with less difficulty.

Britain and Australia are the only major countries still driving on the left and the Government have been under pressure from the EU to come into line for some time.

Junior Transport Minister, Avril Duper, said “Although we understand that this may cause some problems initially, we feel that in the long term this decision will increase tourism and create jobs here in the UK. ”

From 2015, all cars sold in the UK will be required to be left hand drive, a move which will save European car manufacturers some 3.6 billion euros.