Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh
When navigating the roads of Afghanistan and Bangladesh, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that are essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key contrasts include driving sides, speed limits, and the presence of bus lanes. Understanding these variances is crucial for travelers aiming to maintain safety and compliance while abroad.
Lanes
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Right | Left |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the right edge on some roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Often marked with road signs. |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
bangladesh:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 25-50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major areas |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
bangladesh:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
bangladesh:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
Signals
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Bangladesh |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Bengali; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
afghanistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not commonly permitted |
U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by area; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
Documentation
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
Road Etiquette
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in checkpoints |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by offense |
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
Roundabouts
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 9999 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Contact local police |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
bangladesh:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
bangladesh:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
Afghanistan | Bangladesh | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can include fines and points |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply, varies by enforcement |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Varies depending on the severity of the violation |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | More common than in the USA |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred