Driving in Bahrain vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Bahrain and Tanzania reveals significant contrasts that are crucial for travelers. From the right-side driving in Bahrain to the left in Tanzania, differences in lane usage, speed limits, and road etiquette are paramount. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the right 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 'DART'; 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 dedicated lanes. |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
tanzania:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
tanzania:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Tanzania |
| 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 and Swahili; 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
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
tanzania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
tanzania:
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
tanzania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Required annually |
| 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
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| 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
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Significant fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
tanzania:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
tanzania:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay