Why is the car's driving wheel, in most countries, in the left of the cabin?.?

Is it just because of the early designs, and if it is, any reason for the earlier designs to be like that?.
Why is the car's driving wheel, in most countries, in the left of the cabin?.?
It's a carry-over from walking etiquette before cars were invented. The gentleman always walked on the side of the lady exposed to the open roadway to protect her from whatever splashes might occur from passing carriages.





Also, as in a horse-driven carriage, a man driving the team from the side away from the curb makes it possible to allow a lady passenger to be deposited on the sidewalk without risk of harm from passing traffic.





Courtesy was the earmark of gentility, and gracious living the high-watermark of civility.





It is but a remnant of a more civilized age, as was the republic.


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Why is the car's driving wheel, in most countries, in the left of the cabin?.?
With apologies to Fiddler on the Roof, tradition.





You drove the horses from the left of the wagon, to protect your wife/girlfriend from the hazards of the trail.





When the engine replaced the horse, the driver still sat on the left.
Reply:I think, its a safety thing. Most countries use the "drive on the right" as a road rule. That puts a steering wheel on the left side closer to the "center line" which makes it easier to judge the distance from the line thus easier to keep in the correct driving lane. Head on or near head on accidents are nearly always bad accidents!





In countries where you drive on the left, the wheels are on the right for the same reason!





It may well be left over from Horse and buggy days, but I think today its a safety issue more than historic reason.
Reply:In england its on the right.





This is so you could ride along the left hand side of the road on your carriage and then use your right hand, presumably for most people their "sword hand," to fight off highway men.





Its the same for why spiral staircases in castles twist in one specific way, so it is easier to defend against attackers going up the staircase as it is more difficult for them to fight with the right hand close to the inner or the staircase, as there is less room to parry etc....





I have no idea why it would be on the left though, maybe their all left handed over there :) or attack from highway men wasn't a problem.....
Reply:Well I don't know in which year about a century ago there have been a convention where all the state leaders agreed that they will drive on the right side of the road, that leads to a steering wheel on the left for better sight and better control with passing cars. The Common wealth countries didn't agreed with that rule since most of them were separated from the other world with a watter barrier (islands like UK, Australia), so they drive on the left side of the road using right positioned steering wheel