Do You Know Why Some Foreign Countries Use Left-Hand Drive? Here's the Real Reason

Why Some Foreign Countries Use Left-Hand Drive: Have you ever travelled abroad and observed that cars there appear to be on the "wrong" side of the road? When cars are approaching from the opposite direction of your usual route, it can be perplexing. Many people wonder why drivers in different countries sit on the left or right side of the car. Why did some countries select one system over another, and how did this choice spread throughout different parts of the world? 

This difference has deeper roots in history, culture, colonisation and practicality than it does in design. As time went on, nations' decisions were influenced by many factors such as influence from strong neighbours, trade, safety and military mobility. Due to political or economic factors, some areas have even changed sides in the past. Let's explore the intriguing background and rationale for why some nations use cars with left-hand drive while others do not.

What Does Left-Hand Drive Mean? 

Left-hand drive vs Right-hand drive (Image: Canva)

Before diving into the reasons, let’s understand the basic concept:

Left-Hand Drive (LHD): In the left-hand drive system, the steering wheel is on the left side of the car, and vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. Countries like the USA, Canada, France, Germany, and China use this method.

Right-Hand Drive (RHD): In the right-hand drive system, the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle, and cars are driven on the left side of the road. Countries like India, the UK, Japan, Australia and South Africa follow this driving system.

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The Historical Roots of Driving Sides

Ancient Times: People in ancient societies, particularly in Europe, used to ride or drive their carts on the left side of the road to keep their dominant right hand free for protection or greeting. 

Napoleon’s Influence: As Napoleon expanded across Europe, he enforced right-side traffic in the regions he conquered. This gradually led to the rise of left-hand drive vehicles in right-hand drive countries.

British Empire’s Influence: Countries once colonised by Britain (like India, Australia and South Africa) retained the left-side driving system and right-hand drive cars.

Rise of Left-Hand Drive in Modern Times

Left-hand car driving rise (Image: Canva)

United States Leadership: To better accommodate right-side driving, American car companies such as Ford began mass-producing automobiles with the steering wheel on the left. As American vehicles became popular across the world, many countries began adopting the left-hand drive style to match the flow of imported cars.

Trade and Border Influence: For easier travel and less border confusion, countries that are surrounded by right-side driving nations frequently switched to match their neighbours.

Why Some Countries Still Stick to Right-Hand Drive? 

Historical Legacy: Many countries, like India and Japan, have maintained their right-hand drive system due to strong historical and cultural roots.

No Strong Need to Change: Switching driving sides is a complex, costly and risky task that involves road restructuring and retraining. So, many countries prefer to stick to their existing system.

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Driving Sides Is All About History and Practicality

Driving sides are determined by a nation's history, influence and convenience in the area. There is no set rule for this. Some nations adopted the fashion to fit in with their foreign trading partners, while others followed strong leaders or empires. Although someone from a country where right-hand drive is common might find left-hand drive odd, both systems make sense in their own right. The next time you're travelling overseas and you see cars on the other side, you'll know that it's not an accident; rather, it's a piece of history in motion.