Driving in Afghanistan vs Madagascar: Key Safety Tips
Driving in Afghanistan and Madagascar presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should consider for their safety. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and the presence of emergency equipment. Understanding these nuances is essential to navigate the roads responsibly and enjoy a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Typically not used. |
| 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 recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
madagascar:
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.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
afghanistan:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
afghanistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
afghanistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
afghanistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority