The acronym "LHT" stands for "Left-Hand Traffic," which refers to the practice of driving on the left side of the road. The spelling of LHT is straightforward, with each letter pronounced individually. The IPA phonetic transcription of LHT is /ɛl/ /eɪtʃ/ /ti/. This spelling scheme follows the standard English phonetic alphabet, with "ɛl" representing the letter "L," "eɪtʃ" representing "H," and "ti" representing "T." LHT is common in countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, among others.
LHT stands for "Left-Hand Traffic" and refers to the system of traffic movement where vehicles are driven on the left side of the road. This term is primarily used in countries or regions where such a traffic system is in place.
In LHT, vehicles generally keep to the left side of the road and overtake on the right. This means that drivers sit on the right side of the vehicle and control it with their right hand. Public roads, highways, and streets are usually designed and marked accordingly, with road signs and traffic signals positioned on the left side of the road for better visibility.
LHT is practiced in several countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Japan, Thailand, and many others. The origin of this system can be traced back to the medieval period when knights carried their swords on the left side to have their right hand free for combat. This practice continued when horse-drawn carriages became popular, keeping the driver's dominant hand free for signaling or addressing potential threats while sitting on the right side.
Switching from RHT (Right-Hand Traffic) to LHT or vice versa is a complex process and requires significant planning, coordination, and investment. It involves changing road signs, traffic signals, lane configurations, and educating the public through various awareness campaigns.