Driving in China vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When venturing from the bustling streets of China to the serene roads of Samoa, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is essential for safe travel. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique overtaking rules. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to navigate these diverse terrains confidently.
Lanes
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
samoa:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
samoa:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
samoa:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
samoa:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Samoa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
samoa:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 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, especially near bars and clubs | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
samoa:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 685-22-222 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
samoa:
685-22-222
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay