Driving in the Bahamas vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
Driving in the Bahamas and Tonga presents unique challenges and regulations crucial for travelers. While both islands emphasize road safety, notable contrasts emerge in speed limits, overtaking rules, and penalty enforcement. Understanding these variances will help ensure a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in these picturesque destinations.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
tonga:
No
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | N/A |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
tonga:
N/A
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
tonga:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahamas:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahamas:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Documentation
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
tonga:
Contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred