Is the Car Steering Wheel on the Left or Right?
2 Answers
Cars can have steering wheels on either the left or right side. Most Commonwealth countries, Japan, and Hong Kong have right-hand drive vehicles. Below are the differences between left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars: Different Internal Structures: From a manufacturing perspective, the difference between left-hand and right-hand drive models involves some changes in internal structures. For instance, the layout of the steering mechanism, control systems, hydraulic circuits, and electrical systems may need to be redesigned. Additionally, for driver safety, adjustments are made to the body's support metal panels and airbag positions. Different Safety Aspects: In right-hand drive vehicles driving on the right side of the road, the driver can keep their left hand on the steering wheel for control while using their right hand for gear shifting and operating the dashboard. Since most people are right-handed, this setup allows the right hand to perform more operations, making it more scientifically efficient. In left-hand drive vehicles driving on the left side of the road, turning left is much quicker than turning right. Moreover, since the human visual system typically favors the right eye, placing the driver's seat on the right side of the vehicle makes it easier to observe oncoming traffic.
The position of the steering wheel is actually related to national policies. I've traveled to over twenty countries for self-drive tours and noticed a pattern: in right-hand traffic countries like China, the US, and Germany, the steering wheel is generally on the left; whereas in left-hand traffic countries such as Japan, the UK, and Australia, the steering wheel is on the right. Due to historical reasons, Hong Kong and Macau also have right-hand drive vehicles. Driving a car with the wrong steering wheel position can be extremely dangerous. Once when I rented a car in Thailand, it took me half an hour to adapt to the right-hand drive and left-hand traffic before I dared to hit the road—even the wiper and turn signal levers were reversed. If you're planning a cross-border road trip, make sure to check the local traffic regulations thoroughly, or you could easily violate the rules.
