Driving in Colombia vs Saudi Arabia: Key Safety Insights
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Saudi Arabia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. From speed limits and lane designation to alcohol restrictions and traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure experience abroad. Explore the essential driving variances to enhance your road safety in these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
colombia:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
colombia:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer