1968day.year
H-dagurinn in Iceland: Traffic changes from driving on the left to driving on the right overnight.
Iceland switched its traffic system from driving on the left side of the road to the right overnight in a major logistical operation known as H-dagurinn.
On May 26, 1968, Iceland implemented H-dagurinn, or “Changeover Day,” transitioning from left-hand to right-hand driving. The nationwide switch required meticulous planning, with roads, intersections, and traffic signs overhauled in a single night. More than 11,000 volunteers and hundreds of police officers ensured the operation proceeded safely and efficiently. Public information campaigns educated drivers about the new rules, reducing confusion and accidents during the transition. By dawn, the entire country’s traffic flow had reversed, making Iceland one of the last European nations to adopt right-hand driving. Despite initial apprehension, the change largely proceeded without major incident. H-dagurinn remains a unique example of coordinated national effort and logistical precision in reshaping everyday life.
1968
H-dagurinn