Driving in Bangladesh vs. Finland: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique road regulations and practices of Bangladesh and Finland. From driving sides to speed limits, this comparison reveals significant contrasts in vehicular norms and safety measures. Gain insights into how cultural attitudes shape traffic rules, ensuring safer journeys whether you're navigating Dhaka's bustling streets or Finland's serene highways.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
finland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
finland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
finland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
finland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
finland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
finland:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
finland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
finland:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
finland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
finland:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
finland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
finland:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
finland:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory for certain situations |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
finland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
finland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
finland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
finland:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
finland:
Results in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
finland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Contact through 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory, recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory, recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
finland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; fines based on income |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines apply, typically €85 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines apply, typically €100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay