Why do drivers in this U.S. territory navigate the roads from the left side?

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Saint Thomas is a Caribbean outlier where motorists drive on the left, a legacy of Danish rule preserved after the 1917 American acquisition. Because most vehicles are imported from the U.S. mainland, residents navigate these left-hand roads using cars designed with the steering wheel on the left side.

Saint Thomas, the second-largest of the United States Virgin Islands, is a 32-square-mile territory with a complex colonial history. Originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Arawak, and Carib peoples, the island was later claimed by Denmark-Norway in 1672. For centuries, its economy relied heavily on sugarcane plantations and enslaved labor, eventually becoming a significant slave market. By the early 19th century, however, the sugar industry faced decline due to environmental pressures and competition, leading to the abolition of slavery following the Danish Revolution of 1848.

The island's strategic location made it a target for British occupations in 1801 and again from 1807 to 1815. By the 1860s, the United States recognized the island's value, though an initial purchase treaty failed to gain domestic support. It was not until 1917 that the U.S. bought Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix for $25 million in gold. This acquisition was driven by a desire to secure American influence in the Caribbean and protect access to the Panama Canal during the First World War. The island transitioned through various administrative phases, including U.S. Department of the Interior oversight in 1931 and the granting of territorial status in 1954, before achieving full home rule in 1970.

Today, Saint Thomas is a major cruise ship hub and vacation destination, characterized by a tropical savanna climate. It remains a unique cultural intersection where residents navigate a landscape shaped by centuries of European colonial influence and modern American integration. From the historic town of Charlotte Amalie to the bustling Red Hook terminal, the island balances its rich heritage—such as the second-oldest synagogue in the United States—with the demands of a modern tourism-based economy. Despite enduring numerous hurricanes, including major events in 1989, 1995, and 2017, the island continues to serve as a vital maritime gateway in the Caribbean.

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