Driving in Afghanistan vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences
Explore the diverse driving landscapes of Afghanistan and Latvia, where road etiquette, speed regulations, and lane markings vary significantly. With Afghanistan's relaxed speed limits contrasting with Latvia's structured approach to road safety, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Navigate your travels informed and prepared!
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
latvia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
latvia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
latvia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
afghanistan:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
latvia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days