Right-handed steering: If you drive in India, you might have noticed that vehicles have the steering wheel on the right side. While in many countries the steering wheel is on the left, in India the system is different. This is not coincidental, but is linked to history, road safety and driving habits passed down over the centuries. In India, vehicles are driven on the left side of the road, a practice inherited from British rule. During the colonial period, British administrators imposed road systems and traffic laws in India that copied the laws prevalent in the United Kingdom. Since driving on the left is common in the UK, India also adopted the same rule, which continued even after independence. When driving on the left became the norm, vehicles were designed in such a way that the steering wheel was on the right. This helped drivers better judge distance to oncoming vehicles and stay closer to the center of the road while overtaking, thereby improving safety. Better visibility and road safety In a left-hand traffic system like India, having the steering wheel on the right offers several practical benefits. This gives the driver a clear view of oncoming vehicles, especially when overtaking slow-moving vehicles on two-lane roads, which are still common across the country. Sitting this way also helps drivers avoid roadside hazards, such as pedestrians and cyclists, who often walk on the left side of the road. Having the driver’s seat closer to the center improves awareness and reaction time. Uniformity across all types of vehicles India’s traffic system includes cars, buses, trucks, two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws, all of which drive on the left. Placing the steering wheel on the right ensures uniformity across all vehicles, making traffic flow more predictable and reducing confusion for drivers. Commercial vehicles and public transport also benefit from right-hand steering, especially during overtaking and lane positioning on highways and narrow roads. Global practice and legal regulationsGlobally, about 75 countries, including the UK, Japan, Australia, Thailand and South Africa, follow left-hand traffic rules. And use right-hand drive vehicles. India’s system is also in line with these countries. According to the Indian Motor Vehicle Law, it is mandatory to drive the vehicle on the left side, and vehicles sold in the country must follow these rules. Import of left-hand drive vehicles is restricted and is allowed only under special circumstances. Why didn’t India change the system? Implementing the system of right-hand driving and left-hand steering would require extensive changes in road infrastructure, signboards, vehicle manufacturing and driver behaviour. Experts say such a change would be costly, risky and unnecessary. For now, right-hand steering in India remains a practical option based on history, safety and long-standing traffic discipline – a system that continues to serve the country’s complex and diverse road conditions.
Comments are closed.