Driving in Colombia vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Colombia and Kenya, drivers will encounter notable disparities in traffic regulations and practices. From the distinct driving sides and lane usage to varying speed limits and alcohol restrictions, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure experience abroad. Stay informed and drive safely in both vibrant countries!
Lanes
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| 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 | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
kenya:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems