Driving Safety: Bangladesh vs. Japan Explained
When exploring the roads of Bangladesh and Japan, you'll discover distinct regulations and customs that shape their unique driving landscapes. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and regulations regarding overtaking. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey as you navigate these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the right 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
japan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
japan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Japan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
japan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
japan:
Not used in Japan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days