Driving in the Bahamas vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of the Bahamas and New Zealand, various factors come into play that affect road safety and regulations. Notably, while New Zealand boasts marked bus and cycle lanes, the Bahamas lacks such features. Additionally, differing speed limits and alcohol regulations further underscore the importance of understanding these contrasts for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| 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.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 90 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 | 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
new zealand:
90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
new zealand:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahamas:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Turns
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
bahamas:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bahamas:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay