Barbados vs Estonia: Unique Driving Insights for Safety
When exploring the roads of Barbados and Estonia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journeys. From driving sides and speed limits to lane usage and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring safe travels. This comparison unveils vital insights for navigating each country's unique traffic landscape.
Lanes
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
estonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
estonia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
estonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
estonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
estonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
estonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
estonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
estonia:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Estonia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Estonian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
barbados:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
estonia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
estonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
estonia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 112 |
| 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
estonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties