Driving Differences: Bhutan vs. Samoa for Safe Travels
When it comes to navigating the roads, understanding the nuances between Bhutan and Samoa is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From varying speed limits to distinct emergency contact numbers, each nation presents unique regulations and cultural driving practices that every traveler should grasp. Dive into this insightful comparison to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| 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
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay