Why are some car steering wheels on the right side?
3 Answers
Because traffic rules vary by country. Currently, there are two prevailing systems in the world: driving on the right side and driving on the left side. Initially, when Karl Benz invented the car, the steering wheel was centered. However, based on ergonomic principles, over 90% of people are right-handed. To ensure accurate and safe operation of the gearshift and brakes, designers naturally placed the driver's seat on the right side. Left-hand drive and right-hand traffic in the U.S.: After recognizing the advantages of European cars, the U.S. gradually developed an American car culture that emphasizes comfort and safety. The massive sales of the Ford Model T popularized 'left-hand drive and right-hand traffic.' Left-hand drive and right-hand traffic in China: There is also considerable history regarding China's left-hand drive and right-hand traffic. The ancient text 'Guli' states: 'On the road, men keep to the right, women to the left, and carriages pass through the center.'
I used to be quite fascinated by automotive history, especially the fact that steering wheels are on the right side in many countries due to their historical left-hand traffic traditions. For example, in 18th-century Britain, carriages all drove on the left, and the driver sat on the right to better observe road conditions and pedestrians. Later, when cars became popular, this design was retained. During the British colonial era, this habit was brought to places like Australia, India, and Japan, where mainstream vehicles today still have right-hand steering wheels. This isn’t just a matter of habit—it’s also about safety. With left-hand traffic, right-hand driving makes it easier to see oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, reducing collision risks. Some countries, like Sweden, once considered changing but faced strong resistance, as habits are hard to alter once formed. Learning about this has been quite interesting—driving cars in different countries means first adapting to the steering wheel position differences.
As a safety-conscious individual, I place great importance on steering wheel positioning and its correlation with safety when driving. In left-hand traffic countries like the UK or Japan, having the steering wheel on the right provides better visibility for drivers. Since vehicles drive on the left side of the road, the right side of the car is closer to the center, allowing right-seated drivers to more easily assess obstacles ahead and intersection conditions, thereby reducing blind-spot accidents. During design, engineers optimize vehicle layouts to match local driving habits based on traffic regulations. Position mismatch, such as using left-hand drive vehicles in left-hand traffic countries, could increase the risk of scraping or turning errors. Safety is the core consideration as it directly affects daily driving convenience. Regulatory agencies in various countries mandate localized vehicle designs to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
