Anyone know why the Japanese drive on the left?

[AndrewR]

For that matter, why do the Brits? Or, conversely, why does the rest of the world drive on the right?

Living in Japan, I'm accustomed by now to driving on what I consider the wrong side of the road (although it all depends on the road whether or not it really matters -- sometimes there's really only room for one car when in actuality you have to find room for two at some point). From a logical perspective, since the majority of the populace is right handed, wouldn't it make sense to design cars so that your strong hand, the right, is operating the manual shift and the other controls in the middle? I have no idea really, but I just wonder why there's the difference here.

One cool feature of many Japanese vehicles: power folding mirrors! There's a little button to fold the outside mirrors flat against the side of the car to avoid having them taken off by people driving too close to your parked car. I imagine that they have them in Europe, too, but I've never actually owned one before.

 

[Moonbeam]

Try this.

 

[AndyHui]

Rest of the world drive on the right? I don't think so.

All of South East Asia, with the exception of China, drives on the left. Australia and New Zealand also drives on the left.

 

[McPhreak]

Originally posted by: AndyHui
Rest of the world drive on the right? I don't think so.

All of South East Asia, with the exception of China, drives on the left. Australia and New Zealand also drives on the left.

Laos drives on the right.

 

[AndrewR]

I knew that Australia and New Zealand did as well -- the whole Commonwealth thing. Vietnam and those places do as well?? That's news!

Rest of the world drive on the right? I don't think so.

Ok, overstating a bit. The entire Western Hemisphere does, with the exception of Bermuda as far as I know. All of Europe with the exception of UK and Ireland. All (most?) of Africa. China. India? No idea there.

 

[AndyHui]

China drives on the right (generally).

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: McPhreak

Originally posted by: AndyHui
Rest of the world drive on the right? I don't think so.

All of South East Asia, with the exception of China, drives on the left. Australia and New Zealand also drives on the left.

Laos drives on the right.

As does the Philippines.

 

[AndyHui]

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore drive on the left.

 

[Desslok]

Didn't we force this on them when our occupation forces were sent in?

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: AndrewRwouldn't it make sense to design cars so that your strong hand, the right, is operating the manual shift and the other controls in the middle

Actually I disagree there, it makes much more sense to be controlling the steering wheel with your 'strong' arm/hand. Slight bias maybe cause I'm from the UK, but it makes much more sense to me considering the results of badly controlled steering is worse than badly controlled stick

 

[Whitecloak]

Indian drives on the left

 

[AndrewR]

If you follow the link regarding the reason for Japan's left hand drive, you'll find the link to the British one, which includes a list of all left hand driving countries.

Actually I disagree there, it makes much more sense to be controlling the steering wheel with your 'strong' arm/hand.

Steering is easy -- I can do that with my thigh.

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Steering is easy -- I can do that with my thigh.

Who can't with power steering Now try it without, and manual stick too, whilst changing gear...not so easy then.

 

[Doggiedog]

Island nations and countries ruled or once ruled by England (ie India) all drive on the left.

 

[Haircut]

Originally posted by: Snapster

Originally posted by: AndrewRwouldn't it make sense to design cars so that your strong hand, the right, is operating the manual shift and the other controls in the middle

Actually I disagree there, it makes much more sense to be controlling the steering wheel with your 'strong' arm/hand. Slight bias maybe cause I'm from the UK, but it makes much more sense to me considering the results of badly controlled steering is worse than badly controlled stick

I feel exactly the same, obviously driving that way since I passed my test gives me a bit of a slanted opinion, but I would rather have my right hand on the wheel at all times rather than my left hand.

 

[dionx]

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: McPhreak

Originally posted by: AndyHui
Rest of the world drive on the right? I don't think so.

All of South East Asia, with the exception of China, drives on the left. Australia and New Zealand also drives on the left.

Laos drives on the right.

As does the Philippines.

Not. In the philippines, you drive in any lane you want, even if its meant for oncoming traffic. stoplights? those are just for consideration. you are considered weak if you stop for those. when approaching a stop light, all you do is slow down, and beep to see if other cars are coming. if someone beeps back, proceed with caution. if there are no beeps, cruise through that stoplight without delay. hehe. 4 lane freeways (in one direction) are so packed that its not uncommon to see 6-8 lanes arise from them from everyone squeezing together. traffic is very bad there.

 

[ElFenix]

actually you have it backwards... the US and many other countries have LSD cars, Left Side Drive, and most high councilor countries are RSD. left side drive (or left hand drive) because the driver sits on the left.

 

[Pepsei]

i was taught when i was younger that countries with kings or emperors as the head of the state drives on the left...

seems to apply in most cases.

 

[MajesticMoose]

Originally posted by: Snapster

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Steering is easy -- I can do that with my thigh.

Who can't with power steering Now try it without, and manual stick too, whilst changing gear...not so easy then.

pfft... amatuers!!! Try that with a manual steering, while going through a turn and drinking your soda. That's when it starts getting interesting. Just the manual steering part isn't so bad but shifting and steering gets a little difficult

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: MajesticMoose

Originally posted by: Snapster

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Steering is easy -- I can do that with my thigh.

Who can't with power steering Now try it without, and manual stick too, whilst changing gear...not so easy then.

pfft... amatuers!!! Try that with a manual steering, while going through a turn and drinking your soda. That's when it starts getting interesting. Just the manual steering part isn't so bad but shifting and steering gets a little difficult

Isn't that what I implied....'without power steering' would be manual, yes?

 

[FrustratedUser]

It dates all the way back before cars existed.
The main reason was to have your strong arm (usually right) free to swing the sword with while riding.

 

[atrowe]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Island nations and countries ruled or once ruled by England (ie India) all drive on the left.

The US was once ruled by England, and we drive on the right...

 

[Linflas]

The US Virgin Islands also drive on the left with standard LSD American cars no less.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
If you follow the link regarding the reason for Japan's left hand drive, you'll find the link to the British one, which includes a list of all left hand driving countries.

Actually I disagree there, it makes much more sense to be controlling the steering wheel with your 'strong' arm/hand.

Steering is easy -- I can do that with my thigh.

I'm inclined to agree. I think that objectively steering with the left and shifting with the right makes more sense. Course I'm biased! We will never know!

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: AndyHui
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore drive on the left.

dude, get your facts straight.

EDIT:
Wops...I misinterpreted left hand drive and driving on the left. Those three countries have right hand drive and drives on the left.