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.

austriapanama

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in austria is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in austria is 86

1.628 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for austria is 1.628 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	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:

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

austria:

Electronic signs display current limits.

panama:

N/A

Speeds Limits

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	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:

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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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