Driving Differences: Bahamas vs. Estonia Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison highlights key distinctions between the Bahamas and Estonia, from driving sides and speed limits to emergency protocols. With unique rules governing overtaking, lane usage, and alcohol limits, drivers must stay informed to navigate these diverse terrains responsibly.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
estonia:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
estonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
estonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
estonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
estonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
estonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
estonia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Estonia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Estonian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
bahamas:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the 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
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
estonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
estonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
estonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
estonia:
112
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties