Why are steering wheels on the right side in foreign countries?

[VonSara]

Only the United Kingdom, its former 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. However, not all foreign cars have steering wheels on the right side; in many countries, the steering wheel is also on the left. It is said that this originated from the habit of carriage drivers sitting on the left side and driving on the right. Below is an introduction to the traffic systems: 1. Currently, there are two types of traffic systems in the world: one is driving on the right side, and the other is driving on the left side. Approximately 90% of countries worldwide practice right-hand driving, while the remaining countries drive on the left. 2. Countries that practice left-hand driving include: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc. Therefore, cars in these countries have steering wheels on the right side. In contrast, mainland Europe, North America, China, and most countries around the world follow the right-hand driving rule.

[AxelLee]

I found that this issue is actually related to the traffic habits of different countries. In countries that drive on the left, such as the UK and Japan, the steering wheel is on the right. This design is mainly to position the driver closer to the center of the road, providing better visibility while driving, especially when encountering oncoming traffic or overtaking. Historically, this practice dates back to when horse-drawn carriages in the UK drove on the left, and the tradition continued with the advent of automobiles. Currently, over 70 countries and regions worldwide adopt this right-hand drive mode, including popular tourist destinations like Australia and Thailand. However, it's worth noting that if you plan to drive in these places, you might initially find the turn signal position unfamiliar, so it's best to practice in an open area first.

[StephanieMarie]

I've always found this quite interesting, with its roots tracing back to the horse-riding era centuries ago. Back then, knights preferred to ride on the left side of the road for easier right-handed sword drawing. In the 18th century, Britain formalized left-side traffic into law. When steam locomotives and automobiles were later invented, the steering wheel position naturally followed this tradition. Today, those iconic red double-decker buses in London still have right-hand drive configurations, with the passenger seat facing the sidewalk. This layout offers an added safety benefit—passengers can board and alight directly from the curb. Though modern automotive technology has advanced, right-hand drive vehicles can perform all functions just as well, except that the wiper and turn signal controls are reversed compared to left-hand drive models.

[PaigeMarie]

Friends who have driven in left-hand traffic countries can surely relate—having the steering wheel on the right side is indeed more logical. The driver being closer to the center of the road provides a clearer view of overtaking space, especially when passing on narrow roads without worrying about scrapes. The UK's road design is a classic example, with their traffic islands designed for counterclockwise circulation. Moreover, this design positions the left-side passenger seat closer to the roadside, allowing passengers to step directly onto the curb when getting in or out. However, many manufacturers now produce both left- and right-hand drive models with minimal cost differences, relying on flexible production line adjustments—the key factor ultimately depends on local regulations and customs.

[EloiseDella]

From what I understand, about one-third of countries worldwide use right-hand drive vehicles, primarily former British colonies and Japan. This is particularly evident in Southeast Asia, where Singapore, Malaysia, and even Hong Kong have steering wheels on the right. Australia and New Zealand are also typical examples, with their highway overtaking lanes on the far right. Interestingly, some countries like Sweden switched from left-hand to right-hand traffic, but it took over a decade to complete the steering wheel position adjustment. In motorsports, circuits like Britain's Silverstone have pit lane designs that consider right-hand drive characteristics, though modern F1 cars feature centrally-mounted steering wheels, eliminating left/right considerations.

[Edwin]

A few years ago, I personally experienced driving a right-hand drive car during a self-drive trip in Australia. The most immediate impression was needing to readjust my perspective when changing lanes. With the steering wheel on the right, the blind spots in the rearview mirror also shifted, and at first, I was always worried about scraping the left guardrail. But after a few days of driving, I discovered the advantages: when making right turns at roundabouts, the field of vision is broader, allowing a clear view of oncoming traffic; when parking roadside, the driver is directly next to the sidewalk, making it much more convenient to take cards or pay fees. However, it's worth noting that rental companies often encounter tourists mistakenly activating the windshield wipers instead of the turn signals because the positions of the control levers are swapped. It's best to avoid driving at night during the adaptation period.