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Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Sweden Explained

When exploring the diverging traffic norms of Afghanistan and Sweden, you'll discover stark contrasts in road regulations and safety measures. From lane markings and speed limits to signaling practices, the two nations present unique driving environments. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure and informed journey abroad.

Lanes

Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
afghanistan:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.

Speeds Limits

Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.

Signals

Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
afghanistan:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
afghanistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
afghanistan:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
afghanistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
afghanistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
afghanistan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
afghanistan:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.

Turns

Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
afghanistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
afghanistan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
afghanistan:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
afghanistan:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.

Documentation

Driver's License: Requirement
afghanistan:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
afghanistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Road Etiquette

Flashing Lights: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
afghanistan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
afghanistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
afghanistan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
afghanistan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.

Alcohol

Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
afghanistan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
afghanistan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
afghanistan:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.

Roundabouts

Priority: Entering
afghanistan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
afghanistan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
afghanistan:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
afghanistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.

Emergency Services

Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Penalties And Fines

Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
afghanistan:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
afghanistan:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.