Driving in Bahrain vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the roadways of Bahrain and Latvia reveals significant contrasts in traffic regulations and safety practices. From lane markings to speed limits, each country showcases unique guidelines that influence how vehicles navigate their streets. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
latvia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
latvia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Latvia |
| 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 | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
latvia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
latvia:
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
latvia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| 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
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
latvia:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
latvia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
latvia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days