Driving in Bhutan vs. Chile: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and vehicular practices between Bhutan and Chile. From diverse lane usage and speed limits to unique traffic signals and alcohol limits, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that can impact your travel experience. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
chile:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
chile:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
chile:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
chile:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
chile:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
chile:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay