Driving in Barbados vs. Kuwait: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Barbados and Kuwait, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. From varying speed limits to lane usage and alcohol consumption policies, these two nations exhibit significant contrasts in their driving protocols. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to ensure a secure and enjoyable travel experience.
Lanes
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
kuwait:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
kuwait:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
kuwait:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
barbados:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
kuwait:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days