Driving in Bangladesh vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Tonga, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in each locale, paving the way for a safer driving adventure abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; 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
tonga:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bangladesh:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Required; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
tonga:
911
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred