Driving in Bangladesh vs Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
When traveling through Bangladesh and Nigeria, it's crucial to understand their unique road regulations and practices. Notably, while Bangladesh drives on the left, Nigeria adheres to right-side driving. Additionally, speed limits and traffic signals significantly vary, impacting your overall travel safety. Grasping these contrasts can enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
nigeria:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
nigeria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Signals
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not for other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bangladesh:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bangladesh:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bangladesh:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bangladesh:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
bangladesh:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Insurance
bangladesh:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bangladesh:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bangladesh:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bangladesh:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
bangladesh:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bangladesh:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
nigeria:
Varies by offense