Driving Safety: Barbados vs. China - Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Barbados and China, travelers must be aware of significant variations in regulations and practices. From driving on opposite sides to contrasting speed limits and lane usage, understanding these nuances is essential for a safe journey. This comparison highlights the critical aspects of navigating each country's unique roadway environment.
Lanes
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Pedestrian crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane if possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
china:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
china:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
barbados:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
barbados:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Chinese driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
barbados:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
china:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 first exit or straight ahead |
| 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
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
barbados:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
china:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
china:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay