Driving in Bangladesh vs. Ecuador: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Bangladesh and Ecuador, travelers face distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, varied speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth experience while navigating each country's bustling streets.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
ecuador:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
ecuador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
ecuador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
ecuador:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
ecuador:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
ecuador:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
ecuador:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
ecuador:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
Signals
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not used in Ecuador |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bangladesh:
Fines may apply for misuse
ecuador:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless a sign permits. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection is mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
ecuador:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
ecuador:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bangladesh:
Discouraged, fines may apply
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bangladesh:
Discouraged and may be penalized
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bangladesh:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; significant fines imposed. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
ecuador:
0.03%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bangladesh:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bangladesh:
Check if medication affects driving ability
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bangladesh:
Possible for severe offenses
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
bangladesh:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bangladesh:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bangladesh:
Use for first exit or straight
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bangladesh:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Use general emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
ecuador:
911 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines apply; varies by infraction. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Hefty fines for violations. |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes; often required. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bangladesh:
Same as residents; must be paid
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bangladesh:
Possible if fines are not paid
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.