Austria vs. Costa Rica: Driving Safety Differences Explored
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations between Austria and Costa Rica to enhance your travel experience. From speed limits to lane usage, these countries showcase unique practices that impact driving safety. Understanding these contrasts will help ensure a smooth and secure journey on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits are generally static. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
costa rica:
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.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
austria:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
costa rica:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Emergency Services
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay