Why do we drive on opposite side of steering wheel?

In the early 20th century, the steering wheel began to appear increasingly on the left. This was a natural progression: it enables those who are driving on the right to better gauge how to pass an oncoming car safely, and it also makes it easier for passengers to board from the pavement.

What is it called when the steering wheel is on the left side?

A left-hand drive is a vehicle which has the steering wheel on the left side, and is designed to be used in countries where people drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Why do European cars drive on the right?

In ancient Rome, Romans would drive their chariots with their more dominant hand (right) so the whip in their less dominant hand (usually the left hand) would not whip the other horses passing by. Another heavy influence, France’s Napoleon helped spread right sided driving culture in Europe.

Why is the steering wheel on the right in UK?

As a result, England began to determine the spread of left-hand traffic across the planet. At first the steering wheel was put closer to the edge of the road — the right side for right-hand traffic and the left side for left-hand traffic — so it was easier for the driver to get out of the car.

Why do India drive on left side?

This is because, when the country decided to build their national railway system, they used the expertise of British railway engineers, who decided to stick to driving on left-handed tracks just like they did back home. This was transferred to the roads as well later on.

Why are British cars on the right side?

In the early years of English colonisation of North America, English driving customs were followed and the colonies drove on the left. After gaining independence from England, however, they were anxious to cast off all remaining links with their British colonial past and gradually changed to right-hand driving.