Driving Safety: Bahamas vs Samoa – Key Differences
When considering a drive in the Bahamas versus Samoa, it's essential to navigate the distinct regulations that govern the roads in each nation. From speed limits and lane markings to penalties for infractions, this comparison reveals crucial variations that can impact your journey. Stay informed for a safer and more enjoyable experience abroad!
Lanes
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | Not applicable |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
samoa:
Not applicable
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
samoa:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 685-22-222 |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
samoa:
685-22-222
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards