Driving in Austria vs. Colombia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Austria and Colombia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption thresholds, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring road safety. Understanding these variations is vital for a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
colombia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Colombia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
colombia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
colombia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay