Driving in Bhutan vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Bhutan and Kenya. While Bhutan emphasizes lower speed limits and annual vehicle inspections, Kenya showcases its unique approach to lane usage and emergency contacts. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| 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 | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kenya:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
kenya:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kenya:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay