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