Chile vs Samoa: Key Driving Differences You Need to Know
When comparing the road rules of Chile and Samoa, drivers encounter notable distinctions that impact safety and navigation. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and unique signaling practices, understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure and enjoyable experience abroad. Prepare to discover how these two nations prioritize road etiquette and vehicle regulations differently.
Lanes
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
chile:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
chile:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Samoa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
chile:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay