Driving in the Bahamas vs. Hong Kong: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of the Bahamas and Hong Kong, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their driving experiences. Notable contrasts include overriding rules for overtaking, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
hong kong:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
hong kong:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
hong kong:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
hong kong:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
hong kong:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
hong kong:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay