Qwiki

Högertrafikomläggningen: Sweden's Right-Hand Traffic Reorganization

Högertrafikomläggningen, commonly known as Dagen H, was a momentous event in Sweden's history, taking place on September 3, 1967. This day marked the massive transition from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right-hand side, a shift that aimed to align Sweden with the rest of continental Europe, where the majority of countries, including neighboring Norway and Denmark, already practiced right-hand traffic. The “H” in Dagen H stands for "Högertrafik," the Swedish term for right-hand traffic.

Background and Reasons for the Change

Before 1967, Sweden drove on the left, despite being surrounded by countries that drove on the right. This inconsistency led to frequent accidents, particularly at the borders and when Swedish drivers rented cars in other European countries. Additionally, almost all vehicles in Sweden were left-hand drive, a configuration better suited for right-hand traffic as it improves drivers' field of vision.

The Riksdag, Sweden's national legislature, decided to push through the change despite significant public opposition. In a 1955 referendum, 83% of the Swedish population voted against the switch. However, practical considerations, such as the increased safety of having the steering wheel on the opposite side of oncoming traffic and the burgeoning trend towards standard-size round headlamps being replaced by model-specific ones, influenced the decision. This trend was gaining traction in continental Europe and was expected to become global.

Implementation

The change was a colossal logistical undertaking, recognized as one of the largest in Sweden's history. In preparation for Dagen H, extensive public education campaigns were carried out, including radio announcements, television shows, and the distribution of millions of pamphlets. Roads were re-marked, signage was changed, and about 360,000 street signs were modified overnight.

On Dagen H, all non-essential traffic was prohibited between 1:00 and 6:00 AM to allow for the switch. At 4:50 AM, all vehicles were required to come to a stop, switch sides, and then continue driving on the right. The transition was surprisingly smooth, with most Swedes complying with the new rules and no serious accidents recorded during the changeover.

Impact on Public Transport

While road traffic underwent a significant shift, Sweden's railways, including the Stockholm Metro and various tram systems, did not switch to the right and continued operating on the left. As a direct consequence of Dagen H, many tram systems were abandoned, except for in cities like Norrköping and Gothenburg, and three suburban lines in the Stockholm area, such as the Nockebybanan and Lidingöbanan.

Cultural and Social Repercussions

The event had widespread societal impacts. Dagen H remains a significant part of Swedish cultural memory, illustrating a time of rapid modernization and alignment with international standards. The event was even commemorated with a song performed by Agnetha Fältskog on Swedish television that same night, highlighting its prominence in Swedish history.

Related Topics