When Dubai changed the rules of the road - in pictures

  • A roundabout in Deira with asphalt exits leading to sand roads not yet hardened, taken in the mid to late 1960s. Also shown is the new Deira Cinema under construction. Photo: Showpiece City: How Architecture Made Dubai, Stanford University Press; John R. Harris Library
    A roundabout in Deira with asphalt exits leading to sand roads not yet hardened, taken in the mid to late 1960s. Also shown is the new Deira Cinema under construction. Photo: Showpiece City: How Architecture Made Dubai, Stanford University Press; John R. Harris Library
  • A Dubai Municipality notice from August 15, 1966, outlining the switch to right-hand driving would take place on September 1, 1966. John Dennehy / The National
    A Dubai Municipality notice from August 15, 1966, outlining the switch to right-hand driving would take place on September 1, 1966. John Dennehy / The National
  • Deira Clocktower in Dubai shot in the early 1970s with cars travelling on the right-hand side of the road. Photo: Peter Alvis
    Deira Clocktower in Dubai shot in the early 1970s with cars travelling on the right-hand side of the road. Photo: Peter Alvis
  • Drivers became used to seeing sudden changes to the roads with junctions and roundabouts added. Deira's Clocktower, here photographed in the 1970s along with the Flame Monument at the bottom. Photo: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    Drivers became used to seeing sudden changes to the roads with junctions and roundabouts added. Deira's Clocktower, here photographed in the 1970s along with the Flame Monument at the bottom. Photo: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • Jumeirah Mosque under construction in 1977 with an American 'gas-guzzler' flying past. American cars had become popular in Dubai during this time. Getty
    Jumeirah Mosque under construction in 1977 with an American 'gas-guzzler' flying past. American cars had become popular in Dubai during this time. Getty
  • Dubai was not the only place to switch. A year later, Sweden prepares for 'right-hand traffic diversion' day or simply Dagen H (H-Day) in 1967. Alamy
    Dubai was not the only place to switch. A year later, Sweden prepares for 'right-hand traffic diversion' day or simply Dagen H (H-Day) in 1967. Alamy
  • Sweden makes the big change. Alamy
    Sweden makes the big change. Alamy
  • Bahrain did the same. Here is a letter from British diplomats in Bahrain noting the country was to switch to right-hand driving in 1967. Photo: Arabian Gulf Digital Archive
    Bahrain did the same. Here is a letter from British diplomats in Bahrain noting the country was to switch to right-hand driving in 1967. Photo: Arabian Gulf Digital Archive
  • Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, was personally overseeing Dubai's transformation with new roads, ports and an airport being constructed. Photo: Oscar Mitri
    Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, was personally overseeing Dubai's transformation with new roads, ports and an airport being constructed. Photo: Oscar Mitri
  • Dubai International airport opened in 1960. Photo: Dubai Airports
    Dubai International airport opened in 1960. Photo: Dubai Airports
  • Rounds and roundabouts followed, such as the Deira Clocktower in the 1970s. These roundabouts stitched the network of Dubai's new roads together. Photo: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    Rounds and roundabouts followed, such as the Deira Clocktower in the 1970s. These roundabouts stitched the network of Dubai's new roads together. Photo: Alain Saint-Hilaire