1967 - In Sweden motorist stopped driving on the left side of the road and began driving on the right side.
Whoa! Can you imagine if you'd missed the memo? I leave for work around 5:15am, and some days - especially on the weekend - I don't see other cars much. And since most people aren't exactly coherant early in the a.m. I can so picture driving along, minding my own business, and then suddenly seeing a car coming towards me in my lane. Aaaaaaaa!!!!
Reading about the Sweden change, I learned that the change was about 12 years in the making, and had been voted on. The changeover took place at 5am on Sunday, 3 September 1967, which was known in Swedish as Dagen H (H-Day), the 'H' being for Högertrafik or right traffic.
I wonder how long the change took to get used to. Change can be difficult, especially when you don't know what the results will be. At work right now we're going through some changes. We just found out that my department is moving to another part of the building. We're not exactly happy about it, but it'll be okay. We've been through it before. There's always a period of adjusting as we go about our duties in the new space. Inevitably a few people walk into the wrong bathroom, stopping short (and embarrassed) when he/she sees urinals - or lack thereof...
It could be worse... There could be a car coming the other way.
Happy Högertrafik to you, my friends! Enjoy the drive!
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