Driving Safety: Afghanistan vs. Colombia Explained
When navigating the roads of Afghanistan and Colombia, drivers encounter significant variations in regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to emergency equipment requirements, understanding these contrasts is essential for safe travel. Discover how these two countries diverge in their approach to vehicular safety and compliance, ensuring a smoother journey abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
colombia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
colombia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Colombia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay