LHD vs RHD - which is better?

[tranquility]

I always joke that we drive on the RIGHT side of the road, meaning others actually drive on the wrong (left) side haha. Obviously, that's not the case.

However, I do wonder if there is really a better side, and I guess the criterion would be to curry to the majority of ppl who are right-handed (unless you think there is are better factors), so is there and if so which is the better side?

[Foghorn]

There’s no material difference other than if you had a manual transmission, as many in the UK do, then it’s a matter of preference whether you steer with your left hand while shifting with your right hand or steer with the right and shift with the left.

Personally I prefer the 1-2 shift with my right hand since the shift pattern is the same regardless of RHD or LHD.

[Tambohamilton]

Depends if the car has been designed for your side of the road or not. A LHD BMW is better than a RHD BMW, for example.

[wtwo3]

How about center drive

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Depends if the car has been designed for your side of the road or not. A LHD BMW is better than a RHD BMW, for example.

Still better to be driving RHD in the UK!

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Foghorn

There’s no material difference other than if you had a manual transmission, as many in the UK do, then it’s a matter of preference whether you steer with your left hand while shifting with your right hand or steer with the right and shift with the left.

Personally I prefer the 1-2 shift with my right hand since the shift pattern is the same regardless of RHD or LHD.

Yup, one's shifting hand is a major factor, but I'm also thinking less obvious like which eye is more sensitive for right-handers (e.g. peering over cars when making a big turn at the intersection), like one ear is more sensitive that's why ppl like secret service usually have the earplug there...can't rem which one.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

How about center drive

Attachment 2706256

Ya, but that's kinda designed like a LHD since the stick is on the right.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Depends if the car has been designed for your side of the road or not. A LHD BMW is better than a RHD BMW, for example.

Very true, but that's kinda a different issue.

[tcphoto]

Depends on which side of the road your Country uses.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

Depends on which side of the road your Country uses.

Maybe my OP should've been worded better, my pt is trying to figure out which side is better due to how RHD and LHD cars are configured, based on the supposed criterion of right-handed ppl being the main factor.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Maybe my OP should've been worded better, my pt is trying to figure out which side is better due to how RHD and LHD cars are configured, based on the supposed criterion of right-handed ppl being the main factor.

Don't we just get used to how a vehicle is set up, whatever the advantages we prefer or not.

I know as a 'left-hander', many things I use in my life are designed for right-handers. For machines I've used/driven, you just adjust and handle it.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Don't we just get used to how a vehicle is set up, whatever the advantages we prefer or not.

I know as a 'left-hander', many things I use in my life are designed for right-handers. For machines I've used/driven, you just adjust and handle it.

Yes, one can get used to things but it's not ideal. I'd imagine it's a bit of a pita for many stuff like scissors, winding watches, even writing.

So, just trying to figure out the OP w the premise of what should be best for right-handed ppl.

[TiMSport]

Considering the MAJORITY of countries around the world drive on the right side and have LHD vehicles, I'd say LHD wins.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Considering the MAJORITY of countries around the world drive on the right side and have LHD vehicles, I'd say LHD wins.

I'd tend to agree, my man, just trying to figure out "ze why".[Merovingian]

[Redd]

I live in a RHD country and frequently drive in the US (LHD). Its not a big deal to switch. Just remember one simple rule - if you're looking at headlights in front of you, you're in the wrong lane. 😂

[TiMSport]

Good tip.

[Alfisti]

Common sense would tell me that you want your best hand on the wheel, so your right, and your left can shift or deal with the radio or what not. So RHD it is*







*maybebiased

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Still better to be driving RHD in the UK!

Yes indeed! But the driving position (mainly pedal offset) in my car really annoys me...I'm very envious of the LHD driving position!

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Very true, but that's kinda a different issue.

I don't see a particular advantage to either side, providing everything is set up for it (vehicle side, road infrastructure, etc). So to me mechanical/ergonomic differences in the car are the primary factor.

[GuidoK]

From a drivers/ergonomic POV, regarding the transmission/shifting issue, one could look at F1 cars from the late 80's.
These cars were bespoke build for professional drivers so they could then choose what they wanted.
Most cars, including cars from UK based teams for UK F1 drivers were build in LHD configuration, so right hand shifting.
But I don't know if that is also the best configuration for a left handed person.

From a car POV, a lot of cars are definately designed for a specific, side.
You can see that very clearly for cars with an I6 enginge and RWD (so transversal layout):
Cars from UK based manufacturers tend to have have the air flow management just the other way round (so inlet/exhaust on the opposite side) than EU or US based manufacturers.
An I6 engine has a distinct hot and cold side. Of course you want the cold side on the side of the steering column, and on the side of the brake system (both are heat sensitive components).
So opening the bonnet of, say, a TVR with I6 engine, it all looks perfectly a mirror image of say a BMW
Most people don't know that
So a RHD TVR with speed six is technically a better car than a LHD TVR with speed six, and a LHD E46 M3 is technically a better car than a RHD E46 M3 (the 'slant six' config also restraints the exhaust system in the RHD config with the steering column limiting space for optimal headers)

And of course, from a drivers POV the place of the tacho and speedo is also important: when driving, your eyes most of the time are roughly directed to the middle of the bonnet tip. From a drivers POV the tacho is more important than the speedo (from a commuters POV maybe the other way round), so you want looking at the tacho to be the easiest/fastest move. That means the tacho should be positioned on the side of the center console and the speedo on the side of the door.
Cars that have it the other way round are not truely 'drivers cars' imho and are ment to be driven speedo oriented (and maybe full auto mode...)
Unless you can have a huge tacho in the middle of course, but this is an example with 2 equal dials and how to favor them.

[Maynard]

Perhaps a dumb Q, but in a RHD manual, is the clutch still your left foot and throttle to the right?

[Alfisti]

yes