Driving in Barbados vs. Fiji: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Barbados and Fiji, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and overtaking rules, which differ significantly. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will ensure a smoother and safer driving experience in each picturesque destination.
Lanes
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
fiji:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
barbados:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Fiji |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Turns
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Alcohol
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| 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 frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
fiji:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
fiji:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days