Left Hand Drive - why not import new cars

[BammasAUIIIXR8]

I was reading a story on the new Hyundai/Genysis Coupe (I think that was what it was called) with a 235kw V6, rear wheel drive combo that looks damn sexy only to be let down that it will probably never been seen on our shores as there is no plan to make it in right hand drive.

I then got to thinking - why is it that we can't import new cars in left hand drive ???

With all the new fngled gizmo's to stop us crashing and airbags galore, why is it any less safe to be on the left hand side of the care when driving on the left hand side of the road ???

Of course your total perspective changes but I'm sure you would get used to this and could drive just as well.

We now let pretty much any old yank car remain left hand drive and I would think that they would be considerably more unsafe than a modern one.

Also, in todays world of single drivers, in a head on crash you would be less likely to be injured because the cars never crash perfectly straight and usually just crash right side to right side.

Of course if you were hit whilst doing a right hand turn, then you could be in a bit of trouble - but today's cars are considerably better at surviving side impact crashes then their predecessors.

I don't know if left hand drive cars are specifically designed for crashes that would occur whilst driving on the right hand side of the car so would fail ADR rules ???

Maybe the Australian car industry likes the fact that we drive on the opposite side to most car producing countries ???

I must admit that I have not thought a lot about the consequences and I am sure someone would be willing to enlighten me as to why this is the case.

I am intrigued as to whether it may become a possibility down the track though.