Driving in Colombia vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Russia, understanding the distinctions in regulations and practices is crucial for safe travels. From speed limits and lane markings to emergency contacts, this comparison highlights essential driving variations between these two diverse nations. Discover how to adapt and ensure your safety while exploring new terrains.
Lanes
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially in cities |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay