Driving in Colombia vs. Fiji: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Colombia and Fiji, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that affect their safety and experience. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Colombia versus the left in Fiji, along with varied speed limits and lane usage rules. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed 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. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
fiji:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
fiji:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
colombia:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Fiji |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
fiji:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days