Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Ecuador: Key Differences
When exploring the diverse roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina compared to Ecuador, you'll discover intriguing distinctions in traffic regulations, speed limits, and road etiquette. While both nations prioritize pedestrian safety, Bosnia permits overtaking on one-way streets, whereas Ecuador allows it on multi-lane roads. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
ecuador:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
ecuador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
ecuador:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
ecuador:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Ecuador |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bosnia and herzegovina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines may apply for misuse
ecuador:
N/A
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
ecuador:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign permits. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection is mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bosnia and herzegovina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bosnia and herzegovina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bosnia and herzegovina:
Only in emergency situations
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
Pedestrians Priority
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bosnia and herzegovina:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Varies; significant fines imposed. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ecuador:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bosnia and herzegovina:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bosnia and herzegovina:
Check if medication affects driving ability
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bosnia and herzegovina:
Possible for severe offenses
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bosnia and herzegovina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for first exit or straight
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Use general emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. |
Contact: General Emergency
bosnia and herzegovina:
112
ecuador:
911 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Fines apply; varies by infraction. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Hefty fines for violations. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; often required. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Same as residents; must be paid
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bosnia and herzegovina:
Possible if fines are not paid
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.