Driving in Belize vs. Israel: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Belize and Israel, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that shape their travel experience. Key differences include the use of bus and cycle lanes, varying speed limits, and unique traffic signal practices. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| 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 | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
israel:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
israel:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belize:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
israel:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
israel:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
israel:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
israel:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
israel:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belize:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
israel:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
israel:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: General Drivers
belize:
0.08%
israel:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Check local numbers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
belize:
911
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
israel:
Check local numbers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
israel:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail