Driving in Bangladesh vs. Madagascar: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Madagascar, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, unique speed limits, and variations in road etiquette. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in each country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Typically not used. |
| 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. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
madagascar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
bangladesh:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
madagascar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bangladesh:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
bangladesh:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bangladesh:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority