Driving Differences: Bahamas vs. South Korea
Understanding the unique driving conditions in the Bahamas and South Korea is essential for ensuring safe travels. Notable distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road, varying speed limits, and unique traffic regulations. This comparison highlights crucial aspects, such as bus lane usage and alcohol tolerance, empowering travelers to navigate confidently in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
south korea:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
south korea:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Signals
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| 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 but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
south korea:
Yes