Driving in Bangladesh vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When exploring the driving environments of Bangladesh and Switzerland, notable distinctions emerge that influence road safety. From lane usage to speed regulations, these countries adopt vastly different practices. While Bangladesh drives on the left with a more lenient approach to overtaking, Switzerland enforces stricter traffic norms, emphasizing the right-hand drive and precise speed limits. Understanding these variations is crucial for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 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: 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 | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
switzerland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bangladesh:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay