Driving in Belize vs. Fiji: Key Safety Differences
When venturing on the roads of Belize and Fiji, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Notably, Belize drives on the right while Fiji adheres to left-side navigation. Furthermore, speed limits vary significantly, and overtaking practices differ, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these distinct rules.
Lanes
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
belize:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belize:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belize:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
belize:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
fiji:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | mph | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
belize:
mph
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
fiji:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | 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
belize:
Not used in Belize
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Turns
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Emergency Services
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 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: Traffic Police
belize:
911
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days