Driving Differences: Bahamas vs. Panama Safety Tips
When it comes to driving in the Bahamas and Panama, understanding the nuances can significantly enhance your safety on the road. Key distinctions include driving on the left in the Bahamas versus the right in Panama, as well as variations in speed limits and vehicle regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts ensures a smoother, safer experience while navigating these vibrant destinations.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
panama:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 70-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
panama:
70-90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
panama:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
panama:
Generally not allowed
Documentation
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations