Driving in the Bahamas vs. Ivory Coast: Key Differences
The Bahamas and Ivory Coast showcase contrasting approaches to road regulations, influencing vehicular navigation and safety. With the Bahamas adhering to left-side driving and strict overtaking rules, while Ivory Coast permits right-side driving and allows overtaking on multi-lane roads, understanding these variations is essential for a secure travel experience in either nation.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Typically 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, but limited in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
ivory coast:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
ivory coast:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
ivory coast:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, for some infractions. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
ivory coast:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
ivory coast:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
ivory coast:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
ivory coast:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
ivory coast:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
ivory coast:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
ivory coast:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
Signals
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Ivory Coast |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahamas:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahamas:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
ivory coast:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 170 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 171 |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
ivory coast:
170
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
ivory coast:
171
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Ivory coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines may apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Varies, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines may apply, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines may apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible for some infractions |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically stipulated |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated