LHD or RHD? that is the question

[Shep Shepherd]

I've driven LHD cars in the States and had no problems, once that I'd got used to the gear lever being on the right, which took about five minutes. Not sure I'd want to drive one over here, though.

[JohnDeere]

I'm totally ambidextrous when it comes to cars. Within the space of a couple of weeks the other month I drove RHD manul and auto in the UK and on "the Continent", LHD Dodge Charger auto in Americaland (I am Dukez of Hazzard), and LHD manual Focus in Turkey. Never find a problem switching between any of those combos - as a driver. But as a passenger it's a different story - in Milan this week I tried to get into the driver's side of a colleague's Pisshat when he gave me a lift.

[steve_earwig]

I've found myself trying to get into the passenger side of my cars here a few times, especially in the early days but it still gives me pause for thought occasionally. Never actually got in though. It reminds me of that old tale of the drunk who gets into the back of his car - "shome bashtard's shtolen my shteering wheel!"

[e287yba]

You just reach for the glovebox lid, open it and make out you're checking its contents, then get out again and go to the driver's door and get in ...

My daily driver is an LHD MG Maestro 1600 at the moment - unique in the UK !

 

[Ghosty]

When I was at the Tour de France today a large proportion of the French registered cars passing by carrying bikes, event staff, press etc were taking full advantage of the roads being free of traffic and effectively one way. and driving along on the right!

[gtd2000]

My first car was a LHD Mitsubishi Mirage in Germany.

 

The first problem that I encountered was banging my hand off the door to change gear..

 

After that, there's just the problem of overtaking behind large vehicles when driving in the UK etc.

 

Nowadays, after driving LHD more than RHD, I'm completely ambidextrous.

 

I do actually prefer RHD to LHD - reversing is much easier for me looking over my left shoulder and when pulling away at junctions or merging on highways, looking over the right shoulder just feels more natural.

 

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter though.

 

One recent change, is the advent of smart phones and GPS systems. It's much easier for a right handed person to operate these things in a LHD car when they are mounted in the centre of the screen.

[gtd2000]

I've found myself trying to get into the passenger side of my cars here a few times, especially in the early days but it still gives me pause for thought occasionally. Never actually got in though. It reminds me of that old tale of the drunk who gets into the back of his car - "shome bashtard's shtolen my shteering wheel!"

 

When I was working in NL a few years ago, we had been out for a night in the town of Middelburg. On the way back to Vlissingen at around 2am, there was a police check point for drink driving.

 

We pulled up and my mate Gary who was totally pissed wound down the windows and slurred, "alright lads?"

 

The Dutch police looked pretty shocked to see the state that he was in and must have thought they'd hit the jack-pot and pulled out the breathalyser immediately!

 

Gary took it and started to blow - they had no idea we were in a RHD Proton Persona

 

In fairness, the cops did laugh about it

[NorfolkNWeigh]

You just reach for the glovebox lid, open it and make out you're checking its contents, then get out again and go to the driver's door and get in ...

My daily driver is an LHD MG Maestro 1600 at the moment - unique in the UK !

A few years ago I was dropping some people off at a posh do at The Grosvenor in Park Lane , it was very busy and lots of paps and telly cameras . I had to double park in the bus lane,so quickly jumped out and opened the door for the bosses missus. I noticed a bus coming so jumped back in slammed the door and.....I was in the back.

I picked some imaginary lint off the carpet,straightened the cord on the rear phone handset, then tried to keep a straight face as I got out of the back and into the drivers seat with a Routemaster driver beeping his horn at me and all the onlookers pissing themselves.

[barrett]

Rhd tractions are ridiculous, the gear lever is unmoved from the lhd original so instead of it falling naturally into your right hand just next to the wheel, you have to reach your left hand over to the other side of the dash and grope around for it... All proper Citroens make more sense in lhd (in my limited experience), I can't imagine what a head fuck driving a rhd 2cv derivative must be. If you're really set on it, I might know of a cheapish rhd Traction soon

[AlabamaShrimp]

Rhd tractions are ridiculous, the gear lever is unmoved from the lhd original so instead of it falling naturally into your right hand just next to the wheel, you have to reach your left hand over to the other side of the dash and grope around for it... All proper Citroens make more sense in lhd (in my limited experience), I can't imagine what a head fuck driving a rhd 2cv derivative must be. If you're really set on it, I might know of a cheapish rhd Traction soon

As much as I would like one, even with a stupid gear change, I don't have the money or space