Driving in Bangladesh vs Greece: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Bangladesh and Greece, where road etiquette and regulations prominently diverge. While Bangladesh adheres to left-side motoring and stricter alcohol limits, Greece embraces right-side navigation and more lenient blood alcohol thresholds. This comprehensive comparison highlights essential aspects to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
greece:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
greece:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
greece:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
greece:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
greece:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay