What is the difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive?
2 Answers
There is no significant difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive; the operation is the same. It's just that some countries are accustomed to driving on the right, while others drive on the left. In China, regulations stipulate driving on the left to facilitate overtaking and enhance driving safety, hence the driver sits on the left. Additional information: Below is a detailed introduction: 1. Countries where the driver sits on the left are mostly typical continental countries, such as the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, etc.; 2. Countries where the driver sits on the right are mostly typical island nations, peninsulas, or subcontinental countries, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, etc.; 3. Whether cars drive on the right or left is not fixed from the beginning but is the result of long-term evolution. In ancient times, road traffic norms were quite localized, both in China and abroad. However, as roads extended and interactions expanded, local habits became regional, and regional habits turned into national norms.
The biggest difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive is the position of the steering wheel. In left-hand drive vehicles, the steering wheel is on the left, such as in China and the United States, where the driver sits on the left side, making it easier to see oncoming traffic from the right. In my daily driving, I find that the left-hand drive design makes it easier to observe the road because traffic rules require driving on the right side, and the driver's natural perspective is better suited for handling turns and overtaking. On the other hand, right-hand drive vehicles have the steering wheel on the right, as in the UK or Japan, where the driver sits on the right side, suitable for left-side traffic. Driving such vehicles can feel a bit awkward when shifting gears or turning. The interior design of the vehicle also changes with the steering wheel position, such as the wiper controls sometimes being in the opposite direction. From a safety perspective, this ensures that the driver's line of sight aligns with the traffic flow. If you rent a car in a right-hand drive country while traveling, it can be quite uncomfortable at first, with a tendency to turn in the wrong direction, so it takes time to adapt and avoid accidents.
