Do Americans drive on the left or right side?

[MacGrant]

In the United States, the driver's seat is on the left side, and the passenger seat is on the right, similar to China, where traffic follows right-hand driving rules. Except for Hong Kong, all other regions in China have the driver's seat on the left. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region under the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy, still adheres to left-hand driving as per historical regulations. Below is relevant information about automobiles: 1. Automobile Driving: Globally, it is divided into two categories. One is island nations, known as the 'Island Group' (e.g., the UK, Japan), where the driver's seat is on the right. The other is continental nations, referred to as the 'Continental Group' (e.g., China, the USA), where the driver's seat is on the left. 2. Driver's Seat Position: Mercedes-Benz, the world's earliest automobile company, initially designed the driver's seat in the center, with the steering wheel and gear shift both positioned in the middle of the car. However, based on ergonomics, people are accustomed to using their right hand, and gear shifting and braking rely on pushing the lever, so the driver's seat was set on the right side.

[LaCameron]

To be honest, I specifically asked a Chinese-American Uber driver in New York about this. He said that in the U.S., you must drive on the right side of the road with the steering wheel on the left. This is because Philadelphia's freight wagon regulations in 1780 mandated right-side driving, which later became the national standard. The most troublesome part is adjusting to left-hand drive cars when renting, especially when turning onto one-way streets—it's easy to end up on the wrong side. My friend once got a ticket in San Francisco for this exact reason, so you really have to pay attention to the arrow markings on the road when turning. On the bright side, gas stations are convenient, with the fuel filler cap on the passenger side, making the design very practical.

[ElijahAnn]

As a road trip enthusiast, I observed all vehicles driving on the right side during my self-drive along California Highway 1. The United States standardized right-hand traffic rules since the 1920s, which is opposite to some European countries. When driving a manual transmission car, you'll notice the clutch is on the left and the gearshift on the right - a design quite friendly for right-handed people. However, be aware that you must come to a complete stop for three seconds at stop signs, and the right-of-way rules at intersections differ from those in China. If you drive in the wrong direction, cars behind will flash their lights frantically to alert you.

[PeytonRose]

I remember when I was learning to drive in Texas, the instructor emphasized in the first lesson that the steering wheel must be on the side closest to the center of the road. U.S. traffic regulations require vehicles to drive on the right side of the road, and the left-hand drive design allows for better visibility of oncoming traffic. Be careful when visiting scenic areas—some narrow roads in Yellowstone National Park don't have dividing lines, so following the car ahead is the safest option. At intersections, you can turn right directly, but you must wait for a green light to turn left.

[ChaseFitz]

The golden rule of driving in the U.S. is to keep right. The left-side steering wheel design helps drivers judge distances more easily, and the blind spots in rearview mirrors are smaller than in right-hand drive vehicles. On highways, use the left lane for passing, and remember the 25 mph speed limit in residential areas. Special reminder: when a school bus stops with its hazard lights flashing, you must come to a complete stop in either direction. During rain or snow, try to avoid the far-right lane as the shoulder tends to accumulate a lot of water.

[KevinAnn]

Once in Miami, I almost drove into the wrong lane, which made me realize deeply that the U.S. follows right-hand traffic. When renting a car, I noticed that the windshield wiper and turn signal levers are opposite to those in China, making it easy to accidentally activate them when turning. On two-lane highways, extra caution is needed as the right lane often has slow-moving large trucks. It's advisable to turn off interior lights when driving at dusk, as reflections on the windshield can interfere with judging lane markings. Be especially careful when driving in mountainous areas—reflective road studs help with positioning on those winding, serpentine roads.