BillD: A nice non sequiteur there. The positions of controls are based on the side of the road used, and so do not enter the equation at all. Most cars in UK are right-hand-drive, thus allowing the driver to be better positioned for viewing the road.
The origin of the side of the road used (apparently) goes back to the days when horses were the means of transport. Passing right shoulder to right shoulder made it possible to draw a weapon quickly if needed, and put one in the best stance to use it. The only exception being in jousting tourneys where the weight of the lance meant that support was required from ones steed, so competitiors rode down the right-hand side of the lists, allowing their lances to be held across their steeds and aimed at their opponents.
Similar arguments are used for shaking hands right handed, to show peacable intentions because you are depriving yourself of the use of your sword arm.
Similarly, anyone visiting many ancient castles will quickly note that spiral staircases always wind the same way. Moving down a staircase you are always turning counter-clockwise, this is because you could only attack from below and the holders of the castles kept for themselves not only the advantage of fighting from above, but also the advantage of freedom of movement. The defenders would have their right arms swinging in the open area of the staircase, whilst the attackers would find their movements restricted by having the central pillar against their sword arm.
And all this has got bugger all to do with road speeds, but there you go!