Driving Differences: Bahamas vs Belize Safety Guide
When exploring the roads of the Bahamas and Belize, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include the driving side—left in the Bahamas versus right in Belize—and varied speed limits across rural and highway settings. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate confidently and enjoy your travels.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
belize:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
belize:
No
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 40-55 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 40-55 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 40-55 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 55-65 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 55-65 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 55-65 mph |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
belize:
40-55 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
belize:
40-55 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
belize:
40-55 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
belize:
55-65 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
belize:
55-65 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
belize:
55-65 mph
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahamas:
Yes
belize:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
Signals
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Belize |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
belize:
Not used in Belize
Turns
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Mandatory annually; proof may be required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
belize:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
belize:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
belize:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Varies; significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes, fines are often collected immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
belize:
Varies; significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately