Driving Safety: Brazil vs. Finland – Key Differences
When comparing driving regulations between Brazil and Finland, distinct contrasts emerge that are crucial for ensuring safe journeys. From overtaking rules to speed limits, both nations have unique road practices. Notably, Finland implements variable speed limits and stricter alcohol regulations, whereas Brazil features unique bus lane markings and a higher alcohol tolerance. Understanding these nuances can enhance your travel experience.
Lanes
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
finland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
finland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
finland:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
finland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not commonly used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
finland:
Not commonly used
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
finland:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory for certain situations |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Alcohol
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Results in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
finland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
finland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
finland:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
finland:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Contact through 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory, recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
finland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines based on income |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines apply, typically €85 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, typically €100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay