What Side of the Road Do Australians Drive on? Unlike 66% of the world's population, Australians abide by left-hand traffic laws. That also means the steering wheels in vehicles are on the right-hand side, so the driver is closer to the centre of the road.
Both hands should be placed outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides. Your grip should be firm, yet gentle. Use your fingers instead of the palms of your hands and keep your thumbs up along the face of the steering wheel. Never turn the wheel while gripping it from the inside of its rim.
Australian cars and roads are the opposite of those in the US. The steering wheel is on the right hand side of the vehicle and we drive on the left hand side of the road.
The most important thing you need to know about driving in Australia is that we drive on the left.
Left hand-drive historic vehicles have been able to be registered in NSW since 1999. They can either be: conditionally registered under the Historic Vehicle Scheme (if only driven occasionally), or. fully registered with standard used vehicle registration (if driven more regularly).
Australians drive on the left side of two-way roads. Ask passengers to remind you of this every time you set off and when you are turning at an intersection. You should always use pedestrian crossings where possible and remember to look right, then left and then right again when you are walking across the street.
Australia: Left-hand traffic
We drive on the left for one reason and one reason only: Britain told us to. No, really. As a British colony up until we became a federation in 1901, Australia readily adopted left-hand traffic, no doubt because it made both cultural and economic sense to do so.
As far as the English are concerned, there are no ifs and buts about it when they drive a car: the steering wheel belongs on the right. For most of the world, though, the steering wheel's on the left. How are the design and development of vehicles different when the steering wheel is on the other side?
No matter if you're an Australian citizen or not, the process of getting a drivers licence can seem a bit complicated at first because of the many rules and regulations involved. However, you can easily navigate the process with the help of a driving school.
Hand-To-Hand Steering
NHTSA recommends the driver use the area of the steering wheel area between “11 and 8 o'clock” with their left and the “1 and 8 o'clock” area with their right, regardless of which way they're turning. Using the hand-to-hand or push/pull steering method helps prevent injuries.
There are two main steering techniques that can be used in general driving situations. These are the “hand-to-hand” and “hand-over-hand” techniques.
Some of the major causes for hard steering are less or thick fluid in the power steering, improper tyre pressure, damaged serpentine belt, etc. Some of the major causes for hard steering are less or thick fluid in the power steering, improper tyre pressure, damaged serpentine belt, etc.
Hand position on steering wheel
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends drivers put their hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. One reason for the change is to potentially keep hands out of the way if the airbag deploys. Also, don't cross over.
Inertia. Your body, like all mass, tries to stay where it is, according to Newton's first law. If the car turns right, your body tries to stay where it was, which is on the left. Same reason when the car accelerates forwards, you are pushed back into your seat.
On single-lane roads, you must stay as close as practical to the left side of the road. On multi-lane roads, if the posted speed limit is 90km/h or more, or if the road has a 'keep left unless overtaking' sign, you must not drive in the right-hand lane unless you are: overtaking. turning right.
Realistically, the answer is no. Aussie driving standards are low enough without throwing in such a curve ball. It'd be a huge logistical task too, plus the costs would be high – though perhaps not as astronomical as you'd think.
Most areas of the world which were formerly British colonies still drive on the left hand side of the road including Australia, the Caribbean, India and South Africa. Japan also drives on the left. Europe generally drives on the right hand side apart from Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom.
Road rules: safe distance
As a general rule, when following a vehicle, you should travel three seconds behind the vehicle in front to provide enough time to avoid a crash. An easy way to estimate this is to count how long it takes you to pass the same object as the vehicle in front of you.
On straight roads, your hands should settle into an effective position on the steering wheel - 10 to 2 or quarter to 3, only tightening your grip when cornering or braking.
When setting maximum speed limits, most states and territories in Australia follow the model national road rules. Under these rules: Posted speed limits are capped at 110km/h. Where there is a no speed limit posted, default speed limits are 50km/h in built-up areas, and 100km/h in rural areas.
There is no specific legislation in NSW that says you cannot use your left foot on the brake, but most training organisations do not recommend this as an ideal driving method for a number of reasons.