Barbados vs Samoa: Key Driving Differences Explained
Explore the unique nuances of road behavior in Barbados and Samoa, two stunning island nations. While Barbados allows left-side overtaking, Samoa permits right-side maneuvers. Speed limits and alcohol regulations also vary, affecting overall traveler security. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
samoa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay