Why are steering wheels on the right side in foreign countries?
4 Answers
Only the United Kingdom, former British colonies, and a few other countries have steering wheels designed on the right side of the car. It is said that this was due to Napoleon's requirement. Below is a partial introduction about traffic systems: 1. Currently, there are two types of traffic systems in the world: driving on the right side and driving on the left side. 2. Initially, when Karl Benz invented the car, the steering wheel was placed in the center. However, based on ergonomic principles, over 90% of people are right-handed. To ensure accurate and safe use of the gear shift and brakes, designers placed the driver's seat on the right side.
Actually, the position of the steering wheel is primarily determined by traffic regulations. In countries like the UK and Australia, where traffic rules dictate driving on the left, the steering wheel is placed on the right to allow drivers a better view of the road, especially during overtaking and turning. This practice dates back to medieval Europe when horseback riders kept to the left to protect themselves with their right hand holding a sword. Over time, this tradition carried over into the automobile industry after industrialization. Japan, for example, followed the British tradition. Today, these countries maintain right-hand drive mainly due to habit and safety considerations. Changing the entire traffic system suddenly would be too costly and could cause chaos. Driving a left-hand drive car in a right-hand drive country can be awkward and prone to accidents. It's fun to experience it while traveling, but normally, it's best to follow local rules.
This is directly related to the direction of road traffic. In left-hand drive countries like China and the US, vehicles drive on the right side of the road, with the steering wheel on the left. However, in right-hand drive countries such as India and New Zealand, vehicles drive on the left, so the steering wheel is on the right. This positions the driver closer to the center of the road, making it easier to observe the road ahead and oncoming traffic, thereby enhancing safety. Historically, many countries adopted left-hand traffic due to British colonial influence. For the average driver, this design makes operations like lane changes or obstacle avoidance more intuitive. For imported vehicles, the steering wheel position may sometimes be modified to comply with local regulations. Overall, the choice between left-hand and right-hand drive is a balance between safety and efficiency based on local conditions.
The steering wheel is on the right mainly because local traffic drives on the left. When I rented a car during my trip to Thailand, it felt quite strange to have the steering wheel on the right, as I was accustomed to left-hand driving. Having the driver's position on the inner side of the road helps avoid scraping the roadside and makes turns safer. Countries like the UK stick with right-hand drive due to tradition, making it troublesome to change. Many right-hand drive cars are adjusted when exported to other markets, but remain unchanged in their country of origin. In daily use, this doesn't affect the joy of driving, though extra caution is needed at intersections. Once you get used to it, it's actually quite fun.
