Driving Differences: Antigua and Barbuda vs. Switzerland
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Antigua and Barbuda compared to Switzerland, motorists encounter significant contrasts in regulations and road etiquette. From varying speed limits and lane usage to traffic signal conventions, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
switzerland:
80 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
switzerland:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
switzerland:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
antigua and barbuda:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
antigua and barbuda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
antigua and barbuda:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay