Driving in Afghanistan vs. Samoa: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for maintaining safety. This comparison between Afghanistan and Samoa reveals significant contrasts, such as driving sides—right and left, respectively—and varying speed limits. Moreover, unique rules regarding overtaking and emergency protocols further emphasize the importance of being informed before hitting the road in these countries.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay