Why did Sweden switch to driving on the right?
The reasons given for the switch in 1967.
Short answer
Sweden switched to right-hand traffic to match the rest of Europe, since more people drove across borders and most Swedish cars had left-hand steering. Stockholmskällan says that with the steering wheel on the left, drivers found it hard to see when overtaking while driving on the left side of the road, so right-hand traffic was considered safer.
Why
- Stockholmskällan says the number of cars grew in the 1950s and 1960s and more Swedes travelled abroad, and that the rest of Europe already drove on the right.
- According to Wikipedia, all neighbouring countries drove on the right, including Norway and Finland.
- Wikipedia says more than 90 per cent of Swedes drove left-hand-drive vehicles, and Stockholmskällan also says that most Swedish cars had the steering wheel on the left.
Details
The change was not popular: in a 1955 advisory referendum 82.9 per cent voted to keep left-hand traffic, according to Nationalencyklopedin, but the Riksdag decided in 1963 to switch. No Transportstyrelsen page on the reasons was found. For other road rules, see driving and road rules in Sweden.
Tip
If you come from a country with left-hand traffic, you will find the Swedish rules on road trips in Sweden and driving in general useful before your first drive.
What may differ
Several reasons are given rather than one: growing car travel, neighbouring countries driving on the right, left-hand-drive cars and the risk when overtaking.
Common misconception
Swedes voted to switch to driving on the right.
What actually happens
In the advisory referendum of 16 October 1955, 82.9 per cent voted to keep left-hand traffic, according to Nationalencyklopedin. The Riksdag decided on the switch in 1963 anyway.
People also ask
- Why did Sweden change to driving on the right?
- Why did Sweden used to drive on the left?
Sources
- Stockholmskällan: The switch to right-hand traffic 1967Checked at:
- Wikipedia: Dagen H (history only)Checked at:
- Nationalencyklopedin: HögertrafikomröstningenChecked at:
Information checked on 28 October 2026.
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