I always wondered if this ever mattered at all to left-handed people. Like would it matter? Would you feel more confident about driving?

I know they also drive on different sides/lanes in some countries compared to the US where they drive on the right and wheel is on the left seat.

Would it impact you? Would you feel better with wheel on right side, driving right side while being left-handed or does it change when you have to drive on the left side as well?

This is assuming you are primarily left-handed but would also be curious if right-handed folk feel like driving on one side is easier/better than the other. I feel like I’d be very dyslexic if having to switch and drive on the other side I’m not normally driving in.

  • 2piradians@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    6 months ago

    I’m an American who lived in England for a couple years. It doesn’t take long to wrap your head around sticking to the left side of the road.

    I drove both left- and right-hand drive vehicles there, mostly manual shift. That all came pretty easy.

    The biggest challenge I faced was the narrow roads. The American mind struggles with driving so close to other cars, particularly on undivided roads. It always feels like a sideswipe is coming (particularly when you’re a passenger) until you get used to it.

    So now, years later and back in the US, I’m still comfortable driving in close quarters with other vehicles. I get criticized by passengers sometimes. I don’t ride close intentionally, but I have to be mindful of it for others’ sake.

  • saltesc@lemmy.world
    2·
    6 months ago

    I’ve driven both sides and there’s no difference, it just takes a little to adjust. I prefer a gearstick on the left, though, since my dominant hand is better at micro movements with the wheel and gear shifting is such a basic action. But really, the difference is barely noticeable.

  • itsathursday@lemmy.world
    2·
    6 months ago

    For anyone anywhere that wants to know how to drive on the “right” side of the road, here’s a tip. You don’t even need to know your left from your right. Just keep the steering wheel of the car closest to the middle of the road but not over the centre line, that’s it. You can now drive in any country without worrying what is the right way or wrong way.

  • Psythik@lemmy.world
    2·
    6 months ago

    As a lefty, I would hate having to control the shifter with my left hand; it feels a lot more natural on the steering wheel. Furthermore, I don’t understand why right hand drive cars don’t have mirrored transmissions. Having first gear be away from you would be so weird.

    Also I prefer to play guitar right-handed as well, because why would I want to have my dominant hand do the strumming? It makes a lot more sense for me to do the fretting with my left hand, since it is more difficult than strumming.

  • nieminen@lemmy.world
    2·
    6 months ago

    I’m american, and grew up driving stick. Left hand steering, right hand (dominant) shifting. I was lucky enough to visit Ireland a couple years back and rented a car. Was awkward at first but got the hang of it fairly quickly. Obviously it’s right hand on wheel while shifting, I think I left handed it during consistent speeds though. Not sure if this helps at all 🤷

  • StickyDango@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    I’m left handed, and I grew up in Canada, currently living in Australia. I don’t drive differently at all.

    I guess if I were to nitpick, I prefer driving on the left side of the vehicle solely because of where my cup holder is (centre console), but that’s a non-issue if I had a car with a cup holder by the vent at the side window here in Australia.

    You get used to driving in your “non normal” side pretty quick. I like to sit as passenger in a car or bus a few times before I start driving in my “new” side again so my brain can readjust.

  • zxqwas@lemmy.world
    2·
    6 months ago

    I’m left handed. I’m used to driving on the right side of the road. I have driven on the left one week in Namibia.Fairly easy to adapt to finding the stick shift with your other hand. Bit harder getting used to the driving on the other side of the road but still not that difficult as long as you’re not tired.

    No, it does not matter where you put the wheel or which side your drive on. It’s a matter of what you’re used to. I use the computer mouse in the right hand, and I shoot right handed.