Why do people and vehicles in China drive on the right side?

[Brooklyn]

Because the law stipulates that traffic should keep to the right. According to Article 35 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles shall drive on the right side. The following are relevant provisions: 1. Article 36: Based on road conditions and traffic needs, roads are divided into motor vehicle lanes, non-motor vehicle lanes, and sidewalks. Motor vehicles, non-motor vehicles, and pedestrians shall travel in their respective lanes. On roads without divided lanes, motor vehicles shall travel in the middle, while non-motor vehicles and pedestrians shall travel on both sides. 2. Article 57: When driving non-motor vehicles on the road, relevant traffic safety regulations shall be observed. Non-motor vehicles shall drive within non-motor vehicle lanes; on roads without non-motor vehicle lanes, they shall drive on the right side of the vehicle lane.

[Lukas]

Speaking of why both people and vehicles drive on the right side in our country, we have to trace back through history. Let me start from the era of horse-drawn carriages. In ancient times, knights rode on the left side of their horses, holding weapons in their right hands to easily defend against enemy attacks. After cars became widespread, the Chinese government officially mandated driving on the right in 1946, aligning with international standards to avoid the confusion seen in Commonwealth countries that drive on the left. This unification simplified traffic rules, allowing drivers to get accustomed to steering with their right hands, which provides a broader field of vision and reduces overtaking accidents. Overall, it not only improved road efficiency but also helped China integrate global standards during industrialization, making daily travel safer and smoother for everyone.

[OOlive]

After driving for a long time, I find driving on the right side incredibly practical. As a driver, the seat is usually on the left, so driving on the right allows for a clear view of the road ahead and vehicles on the right, making overtaking safer. If driving on the left, the opposite direction can easily lead to misjudging distances. This habit helps reduce congestion during heavy urban traffic and is easier for new drivers to adapt to. On the road, I've observed that uniform rules eliminate a lot of unnecessary confusion, preventing accidents caused by directional issues, making driving more relaxed and comfortable.

[SanAngela]

Keeping to the right reduces traffic accident rates. When vehicles move in a unified direction, road interaction conflicts decrease, and drivers' sightlines remain unobstructed; studies show this standardization improves reaction times. China's adoption of this system enhances overall safety, helping to avoid risks such as blind spot collisions.

[LeAlice]

Being accustomed to keeping right in daily life is truly convenient. Whether commuting or shopping, keeping right prevents conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, and the traffic light design matches this, avoiding the chaos seen in some countries. A unified standard reduces accidents, making everyone's travel smoother and more enjoyable.