Driving in Austria vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations in Austria and Panama, notable contrasts emerge that impact traveler safety. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol tolerance, both nations showcase distinct driving customs. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, as Austria emphasizes stricter enforcement while Panama exhibits more lenient practices.
Lanes
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
panama:
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.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
panama:
Common
Signals
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Panama |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| 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.
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid 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
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay