Impact of Left-Hand Traffic Rules at Road Intersections on the Driving Behavior of Drivers Accustomed to Right-Hand Traffic

In recent years, with the increasing demand for Chinese drivers to operate vehicles in left-hand traffic countries, the importance of studying the impact of left-hand traffic rules on right-hand accustomed drivers has become more prominent. This study, based on a driving simulation platform, conducted a comparative analysis of vehicle speed and trajectory differences for right-hand accustomed drivers under left-hand and right-hand traffic conditions. During the turning phase at intersections, left-hand traffic rules significantly influence the speed and trajectory of right-hand accustomed drivers. Compared to right-hand traffic, vehicles transitioning into near and far lanes under left-hand rules exhibited lower average speeds and greater standard deviations in lane deviation. Additionally, right turns under left-hand traffic tended to be made with a smaller turning radius compared to left turns under right-hand rules, while left turns under left-hand traffic showed a higher risk of encroaching into adjacent outer lanes. These findings offer valuable insights for training right-hand accustomed drivers in left-hand traffic countries, helping to reduce high-risk behavior during turns through targeted training.