Driving in Argentina vs Madagascar: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Argentina and Madagascar showcases significant variations in road etiquette, speed limits, and lane usage. While Argentina adopts specific regulations for urban and rural areas, Madagascar's approach reflects its unique local conditions. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| 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 | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
argentina:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
argentina:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
argentina:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
argentina:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
argentina:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
argentina:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
argentina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | 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 in some areas | 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
argentina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
argentina:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
argentina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Argentina | 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
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
argentina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority