Driving Differences: The Bahamas vs. Japan Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts between driving in the Bahamas and Japan, where road regulations and safety measures vary significantly. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, this comparison reveals essential insights for travelers. Navigate these diverse approaches to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
japan:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
japan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Japan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
japan:
Not used in Japan
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahamas:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days