roscoemi 245 #1 Posted January 19, 2014 My son has to know, why do Brit's put the steering wheel on the wrong side and drive on the wrong side of the road? And what's with the long car tags? Why do politician's wear wigs? A ten year old needs to know! Lol! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 579 #2 Posted January 19, 2014 Driving on the left - you'll find an answer here (didn't know the origin so had to look it up) http://www.2pass.co.uk/goodluck.htm The size of letters and numbers on a tag are set in UK law and the system in use at present consists of two letters identifying the geographic area where the car was first registered as new, two digits identifying the year and half year when it was first registered, followed by three random letters. The one on the front is on a white reflective background, at the rear its orange. All this aids number plate (tag) recognition so police and traffic enforcement cameras can keep an eye on you. If the police are behind you and scan your plate their onboard computer tells them who owns the car, if its taxed and insured, if it's stolen etc. Very Big Brotherish. I think it's judges and certain lawyers that he's thinking of re the wigs. I think it began when wigs were the cool hip thing to wear in 'society' circles and it became an accepted part of their dress code. Judges and barristers (lawyers) in the senior courts still wear them today even though they went out of fashion in the early 1800s. There's also a whole list of people who wear them as part of their ceremonial robes. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chazm 413 #3 Posted January 19, 2014 A wise Squirrel once said.... If you don't learn something everyday... then you weren't paying attention... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo Traction 761 #4 Posted January 19, 2014 Our driving on the Left in the UK also influenced the design of Steam Traction Engines in the 1800s where the large Flywheel was located on the Left side of the engine so as not to startle the Horses when they passed the Engine (overtake) on the Right of it (the teams of Horses were faster). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roscoemi 245 #5 Posted January 21, 2014 So you drive on the left to keep your sword handy, and we on the right so a sawed off Frenchman could keep his handy? If we were going in the same direction it would be ok, but, going opposite ways would be a problem! Interesting bit of history and how it influenced the future. The wig thing strikes me as kinda creepy, but at the same time a hardcore old school I will not change kinda thing. Not really sure what to make of it. My son is confused by it. Big brother is on our car plates too. Mine gets run at least twice a day, where I work the cops just have an attitude not seen outside of Ohio where they have the death penalty for speeding! If you ever come to Michigan, stay out of Kalkaska County! Despite what the press wants us to believe, the people I know think of the British like a brother. Annoying at times, but will always have your back. We are probably the same to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 579 #6 Posted January 22, 2014 Re wigs and courts - "There is no urgent need to go discarding something which has been out of date for at least a century" Lord Donaldson 2003. Not knowing much more about the history of wigs worn in court than I shared earlier, I decided to research a little further and came across a pretty full account here: http://sixthformlaw.info/01_modules/mod1/1_4_legal_personnel/1_4_2_barristers_solicitors/04_barristers_wigs.htm (which Includes the battle to get rid of wigs). Despite what the press wants us to believe, the people I know think of the British like a brother. Annoying at times, but will always have your back. We are probably the same to you. Agree absolutely, the press are in the business of selling papers, politicians ply for votes, but time and time again we stand together and our servicemen lay down their lives for the fundamental values we share and hold dear. Andy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyovrcntry 115 #7 Posted January 25, 2014 I was in the Bahamas a few years back and thought I would rent a car and see the sights.Well the first night there we took a cab to a casino and I discovered I didn't want to drive there.There is no way I could drive there,I had my foot on the floor trying to hit a brake pedal that wasn't there LOL.I think that's wy the cabs are so cheap,to keep us from trying to drive while there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
