Driving in Brunei vs Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Brunei and Jamaica, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. From lane markings to speed limits, key contrasts emerge: Brunei's strict zero-tolerance on alcohol versus Jamaica's 0.08% legal limit, and the approach to overtaking. Understanding these nuances is essential for safe navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
brunei:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
brunei:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
brunei:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brunei:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
brunei:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
brunei:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
brunei:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brunei:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brunei:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brunei:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
brunei:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brunei:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brunei:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brunei:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brunei:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
brunei:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
brunei:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brunei:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brunei:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines