Should You Drive on the Left or Right Side of the Road?

[Joanne]

Drive on the right. The biggest advantage of the right-hand traffic system is that it is adopted by the vast majority of regions worldwide. According to Article 35 of China's 'Road Traffic Safety Law': 'Motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles shall drive on the right side.' 'Driving on the right side' means that when motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles are driving on the road, if there is a centerline marked on the road, the centerline serves as the boundary; on roads without a centerline, the geometric center serves as the boundary. The left and right sides are determined based on the direction faced, meaning the left side of the road is the left lane, and the right side is the right lane. Except for vehicles with special regulations, all vehicles must drive on the right side of the road. This is the so-called 'each in their own lane,' which is also one of the principles of road traffic order management. Whether to drive on the right or left side was not fixed from the beginning but is the result of long-term evolution. In ancient times, whether in China or abroad, road travel norms were quite localized. However, as roads extended and interactions expanded, local habits became regional, and regional habits became national norms. When driving on the right, the driver can use their left hand to maintain control of the steering wheel while using their right hand to complete complex actions such as shifting gears and operating the instrument panel, which is advantageous for right-handed drivers. Additionally, right-hand traffic makes it easier for cyclists or motorcyclists to use their left hand to signal turns.

[VanGage]

It depends on where you're driving. I often travel abroad for road trips and have found that the world is divided into two major camps: countries like China, the US, and Canada drive on the right side with the driver seated on the left, while places like the UK, Japan, and Australia drive on the left with the driver on the right. At first, driving in New Zealand felt really awkward to me—the steering wheel position just seemed off. Actually, these differences stem from historical traditions: mainland Europe adopted right-hand driving under Napoleon's influence, while Britain maintained the ancient left-hand custom of knights. What's most crucial is to be extra careful in border areas, like when crossing from Shenzhen to Hong Kong—the driving side switches immediately after the border, requiring full attention. Always check local driving rules before your trip to avoid violations or accidents.

[DiJoanna]

I've studied traffic history and found that both left-hand and right-hand driving have their logic. Modern rules originate from the carriage era: the British preferred keeping left so their right hand could swiftly draw swords for defense, while post-French Revolution, right-side driving became popular to accommodate wagon drivers wielding whips with their right hand. Today, approximately 70% of the world drives on the right, including continental Europe and the Americas, whereas left-side driving persists mostly in Commonwealth nations or island countries like Singapore and India. Safety fundamentally depends on uniform rules—suddenly switching to left-side driving in right-hand traffic countries risks head-on collisions, especially on blind curves. That's why I always verify the driving direction when renting cars abroad to avoid instinctive confusion.

[SanNathan]

In China, driving must be done on the right side of the road. Regulations clearly require vehicles to stay in the right lane, and overtaking must be done from the left. Once, I saw someone driving on the left side of a county road for convenience and almost collided with an oncoming tractor. This is not only a traffic violation resulting in fines and demerit points but also a life-threatening risk. Nowadays, urban roads have centerlines for guidance, and on highways, it's essential to pay close attention to road signs. Remember, on two-way single-lane roads, you should never cross the centerline unless overtaking. If you drift off course, adjust immediately when you see headlights from the opposite direction. Night driving requires extra concentration, as driving against traffic is absolutely dangerous. Following the rules ensures both safety and savings.