Driving in Bangladesh vs. Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique driving cultures of Bangladesh and Jamaica as we delve into their distinctive traffic regulations and practices. Key differences emerge in lane markings, speed limits, and the use of signals, emphasizing the importance of understanding local road norms for a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
bangladesh:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-50 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
bangladesh:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
bangladesh:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bangladesh:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
bangladesh:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bangladesh:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
bangladesh:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
bangladesh:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bangladesh:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bangladesh:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bangladesh:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bangladesh:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bangladesh:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bangladesh:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
bangladesh:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
bangladesh:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Lane Usage: Right
bangladesh:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
bangladesh:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bangladesh:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bangladesh:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines