Why are cars in the United States left-hand drive?
2 Answers
The reason why the United States has left-hand drive cars is: the dominant position of the United States in the automobile manufacturing industry, and the fact that major European car manufacturers are located in right-hand traffic countries, so the United States drives on the right side of the road, known as left-hand drive. The principle of placing the driver's seat closer to the centerline of the road in American cars ensures road safety. There is not much difference between left-hand drive and right-hand drive, as it is determined by regional traffic regulations and personal habits. When driving on the right, the driver can place their left hand on the steering wheel to maintain control while using their right hand to shift gears and operate the center console. Since most people are right-handed, the right hand can perform more operations, making it more scientific. When driving on the left, turning left is much quicker than turning right, and since human vision is usually dominated by the right eye, placing the driver's seat on the right side of the vehicle makes it easier to observe oncoming traffic.
I'm particularly interested in automotive history. The left-hand steering wheel in American cars actually originated from early carriage customs. In the late 18th century, after gaining independence, America wanted to distinguish itself from Britain, where carriages drove on the left side, so drivers sat on the right to better command the horses. However, in the U.S., many regions began driving on the right, allowing drivers seated on the left to better see the middle of the road and oncoming vehicles, avoiding collisions. With the invention of automobiles, early models like Henry Ford's Model T adopted this design, standardizing it. Thinking about it now, this change truly influenced the world—Canada followed the U.S., while Britain and Australia kept right-hand drive. Every time I drive, I find the positioning design quite ingenious.
