Driving in Belize vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
Understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for safe travels between Belize and Panama. This comparison reveals significant variations, such as the presence of bus and cycle lanes in Panama, stricter speed limits, and differing alcohol limits for drivers. Familiarizing yourself with these disparities will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
panama:
70-90 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
panama:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
panama:
Common
Signals
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belize:
Not used in Belize
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
belize:
English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| 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 | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belize:
0.05%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations