Driving in Barbados vs. Hungary: Key Safety Differences
When embarking on a journey through Barbados or Hungary, it's essential to understand their unique traffic regulations and road customs. While Barbados drives on the left and showcases vibrant lanes without the prevalence of bus or cycle lanes, Hungary emphasizes stricter speed limits and comprehensive signage. Discover these crucial contrasts to ensure a secure and enjoyable travel experience.
Lanes
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| 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. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
hungary:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
hungary:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
barbados:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
hungary:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
hungary:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
hungary:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Limited use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move 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
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
barbados:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| 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; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
hungary:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
hungary:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days