Driving in Barbados vs. Bhutan: Key Safety Insights
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Barbados and Bhutan. Key distinctions include speed limits, overtaking rules, and the use of emergency equipment. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience while navigating the diverse terrains of these two nations.
Lanes
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Yes |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
bhutan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
bhutan:
Yes
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Up to 60 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
barbados:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
bhutan:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Bhutan |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
Turns
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Restricted; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
bhutan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
Alcohol
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common, especially during events |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial and imprisonment possible |
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
bhutan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
bhutan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
bhutan:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
bhutan:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; often involves fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically immediate payment required |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
bhutan:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required