Bahrain vs Barbados: Driving Safety Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts between Bahrain and Barbados when it comes to road regulations and vehicular conduct. With Bahrain driving on the right and Barbados on the left, their unique rules on speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals significantly impact road safety. Stay informed and drive safely abroad by understanding these distinctions.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Not commonly used in Barbados. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Not commonly used in Barbados. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
barbados:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
barbados:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
barbados:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
barbados:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
barbados:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
barbados:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
barbados:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
barbados:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
barbados:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
barbados:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
barbados:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Possible in some cases |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
barbados:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
barbados:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
barbados:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
barbados:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
barbados:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
barbados:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
barbados:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
barbados:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
barbados:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
Signals
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Barbados |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
barbados:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
barbados:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
barbados:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
barbados:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed, follow traffic signals |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Usually not required for non-residents |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | N/A for non-resident vehicles |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
barbados:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
barbados:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Less common; checkpoints can be used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
barbados:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
barbados:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
barbados:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 211 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 211 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
barbados:
211 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
barbados:
211
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines for not wearing seatbelts |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
barbados:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
barbados:
Possible in some cases
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay