Trivia Question of the Day

[ian16th]

AS Cape knows, I got a weekend there for $45 'cos I was flying with Varig to California.

Been 3 times, a 2 night stop over, a 1 night stop over and the last time 4 hours in transit!

Oh yes, the lack of the river is the right answer.

[ian16th]

Agh! I see I've now got to judge the winner!

Let the new boy, T15, have a go.

[tango15]

Thanks ian. Now here's one that Capes may well know the answer to.

Why do they drive on the left (ie UK side) in the US Virgin Islands?

[Capetonian]

I thought I knew the answer, checked a map to see if I was right correct, realised I wasn't, so having thus disqualified myself I googled the answer, which I didn't know, but it's very interesting.

Good challenge t15.

[ian16th]

Never having been there, I didn't know that they did.

Were they a British Protectorate at some time?

A lot of islands in that part of the world have changed hand several times.

[tango15]

No, not a former British Protectorate.

[llondel]

Along the same lines, the US acquired the place from some other empire that passed on the left. Or they just get cheap second-hand Japanese cars (like New Zealand) and it's just easier.

Neither of those theories fits with their location, as doesn't the other one that occurred to me, that their neighbours are all drive-on-the-left and it's just more convenient.

[Fliegenmong]

I knew the US Virgin ISlands were once the Danish West Indies, but not why they drive on left, they drive on the right in Denmark

[tango15]

I knew the US Virgin ISlands were once the Danish West Indies, but not why they drive on left, they drive on the right in Denmark

...but not always apparently. The US bought the USVI from Denmark in 1917 and the Danes had instituted a practice of animals (because there were very few cars in those days), being driven on the left hand side of the road. This was because of the precarious nature of the roads and it was believed that by so doing, there was better visibility for those driving cattle and those driving cars. At least that's the explanation I was given!

[ian16th]

Must be a Scanwegan thing.

The Sweeds drove on the left until the late 60's

[larsssnowpharter]

No! You are all wrong!

When the US bought the Islands they did actually change the rules (in 1918, I think to driving on the right.

The problem arose that the local donkeys and asses were used to going down the left side of the road on the rare occasions that the highways of the VI were wide enough.

The resultant carnage of collisions at a closing speed approaching 3 mph was enough to persuade the authorities to revert to the previous standard.

[John Hill]

Very interesting, do you have an alternative question for us?

[larsssnowpharter]

We're, no. That was a tongue in cheek response.

[John Hill]

Scheeesh, I am loosing my touch!

[John Hill]

I guess they were so pissed of at being sold to the Yanks that they had to do something to show the finger.

[llondel]

At least it wasn't the one where they decide to stage the switchover, so cars swapped one weekend and lorries and buses the following one.

[John Hill]

Is this thread still alive?

[Capetonian]

A lot of waffling but the correct answer has been stated, even if not in very precise terms. I suggest we move on with the next challenge.

[Fliegenmong]

In light of Capes last post, & if I am not out of order, may I?

[Ex-Ascot]

In light of Capes last post, & if I am not out of order, may I?

I am bloody confused as to the answer. Anyway Cape's train set so why not go ahead Flieg.