Driving in Chile vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving in Chile and Tonga to enhance your road safety abroad. From lane usage and speed regulations to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights essential distinctions. Discover how these two countries approach their unique traffic customs and ensure a secure journey on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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 Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
chile:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
chile:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
chile:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | Contact local police |
| 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
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred