How to distinguish between left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic?
3 Answers
The methods to distinguish between left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic are: 1. The positions of the triangular tips on the two types of traffic signs are different. If the triangular tip is on the left side of the sign, it indicates left-hand traffic; if it is on the right side, it indicates right-hand traffic. 2. The corner at the bottom left of the triangular tip on the traffic sign can be viewed as an arrow. If the arrow points to the left, it is a left-hand traffic sign; if it points to the right, it is a right-hand traffic sign. 3. If the low point of the diagonal line is on the left, it is a left-hand traffic sign; if the low point is on the right, it is a right-hand traffic sign. Left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic signs are used to guide drivers to change their direction of travel and ensure safe operation.
Hey, when it comes to the difference between left-hand and right-hand driving, I have to say these are the very basics of traffic rules, directly related to our driving safety. Left-hand driving means vehicles drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right, popular in places like the UK, Japan, and Hong Kong. Right-hand driving is driving on the right side with the steering wheel on the left, as practiced in the US and here in China. The main differences lie in the steering wheel position and traffic signal handling—right turns are easier in left-hand driving, while left turns have more space in right-hand driving. Historically, left-hand driving originated from the knight era when knights rode horses holding weapons in their left hands and kept to the left to avoid collisions. Nowadays, if you drive abroad, you must check the local rules beforehand; otherwise, you might end up driving on the wrong side of the road, which is extremely dangerous. Common issues include beginners driving on the wrong side, leading to accidents. So, for road trips, it's essential to download a navigation app that provides real-time reminders about rule differences to ensure a safe journey.
As an experienced driver, I must say the distinction between left-hand and right-hand driving is fundamentally about adapting to different cultures and safety needs. Left-hand driving countries often have narrower road designs because driving on the left facilitates right turns into intersections; in right-hand driving countries like the U.S., left turns at intersections usually have dedicated lanes. The differences also include vehicle lighting setups—headlights on left-hand drive cars must avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Driving habits vary too: in left-hand traffic, overtaking is typically done from the left, while in right-hand traffic, it's from the right. I recommend renting a car for a test drive before traveling to adapt, and setting GPS voice prompts on your phone to indicate which side to drive on. Safety-wise, switching rules can be disorienting and lead to rear-end collisions—remember when I rented a car in Australia and nearly drove on the wrong side right after starting? That was terrifying. Practice makes perfect.
