Global South World - driving https://www.globalsouthworld.com en-US Beyond Europe: Where speed still reigns https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/beyond-europe-where-speed-still-reigns https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/beyond-europe-where-speed-still-reigns?feed=driving Thu, 15 May 2025 13:30:01 Z While Europe dominates with structured high-speed limits and legendary roads like the Autobahn, other parts of the world also boast roads that push the boundaries of legal velocity.

Australia’s Stuart Highway

Stretching across the heart of the Australian Outback, sections of the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory were once famously limitless—and although a 130 km/h (81 mph) cap has been reinstated in most areas, the road remains one of the fastest legal highways in the Southern Hemisphere. It's straight, open stretches invite long-distance driving with minimal traffic.

United States – Texas State Highway 130

In the U.S., Texas State Highway 130 holds the crown for the highest posted speed limit: 85 mph (137 km/h). This toll road bypasses the congestion of Austin and showcases America ’s flirtation with higher speed limits in select corridors. It's a rare taste of speed freedom in a country otherwise known for its strict enforcement.

United Arab Emirates – Sheikh Zayed Road

In the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai not only dazzles with its futuristic skyline but also hosts one of the highest speed limits in the Middle East —140 km/h (87 mph). With multi-lane highways and state-of-the-art road systems, the UAE offers a high-speed driving experience surrounded by cutting-edge infrastructure.

Speed meets engineering

These roads aren't just about going fast—they’re designed for high performance. From intelligent road sensors to strict vehicle inspections and rigorous driver rules, they embody how technology, regulation, and infrastructure can safely coexist with speed.

]]> Global South World The World in Maps The World in Maps Across most of the world, strict speed limits aim to reduce traffic fatalities and environmental impact. Yet a few places still offer drivers the rare chance to legally push the pedal to the metal. This map showcases six of the fastest road European countries that switched from left to right driving directions https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/european-countries-that-switched-from-left-to-right-driving-directions https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/european-countries-that-switched-from-left-to-right-driving-directions?feed=driving Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:14:06 Z Driving worldwide has seen an evolution over the years.

It’s rather easy to imagine driving in the left or right directions but mixed-direction driving may sound rather wild right? While the latter barely exists today, many countries around the world drive either on the left or the right depending on traffic rules, and usually, cars in the country are made to suit this plan or imported with this in mind.

About  30% of the world’s countries  mandate left-side driving and another 70% stay to the right.

This makes it easy for smoother and safer transportation. Here is a compilation of some European countries that switched from left to right driving directions and how it impacted their roads and people .

Spain

A hybrid driving system still existed in Spain in 1918 despite the country switching to Right-Hand Traffic (RHT). Drivers in Madrid were still driving on the left despite the law but by 1924, a national law was introduced, making it mandatory for every driver to switch to RHT.

Italy

Italy  started driving on the right in the 1890s, and it became mandatory with the 1912 highway code. Cities with trams could keep driving on the left but by 1927, all cars in Italy began driving on the right.

Portugal

The change happened on the same day across Italy and its colonies. But areas next to countries that drove on the left like Portuguese East Africa (now Mozambique) were not included.

Austria

Between 1921 and 1935, the Austrian regions of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Carinthia, and part of Salzburg switched to driving on the right. When Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Hitler mandated an overnight change for the rest of the country. Austria changed to right-hand driving completely by 1938.

]]> Global South World The World in Maps The World in Maps Map shows which side of the road people in Europe drove on in 1922. Today, the only countries that still drive on the left are- UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.But a lot of these count America’s most common means of transportation to work by county https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/americas-most-common-means-of-transportation-to-work-by-county https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/americas-most-common-means-of-transportation-to-work-by-county?feed=driving Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:20:16 Z People use various means of transportation to move around, including cars, motorbikes, trains, and aeroplanes.

But it is no doubt driving is one of the most popular in-land methods to get around one’s daily activities. Transport systems vary within nations around the world but in America, solo driving is the most common.

Families would rather own their cars and move from place to place, enjoy holiday trips and drive around the city.

Data from the World in Maps reveals that, in 2019, around 76% of American workers drove to work alone.

Meanwhile, only 5% of people used public transportation, with New York City , Washington, D.C., and San Francisco being the only major cities where it was the main choice for getting around.

In busier places, biking, walking, and carpooling were more popular, but each option was still used by only a small number of people overall.

]]> Global South World The World in Map The World in Map Map shows how Americans commuted to work in 2019, just before the pandemic, and one thing stands out- driving alone in a car dominated nearly everywhere.In fact, 76% of workers nationwide commuted solo by car. Pub