Driving in the Bahamas vs. Colombia: Key Differences
The driving experiences in the Bahamas and Colombia reveal significant contrasts that are crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From the divergent sides of the road each country mandates, to varying speed limits and the presence of bus and cycle lanes, these essential distinctions can impact your travel. Understanding these nuances is vital for safe navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
colombia:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
colombia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
colombia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
colombia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
colombia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
colombia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Colombia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
colombia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
colombia:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
colombia:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations