Driving in Colombia vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Vanuatu, drivers encounter notable disparities in regulations and practices. From the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in Colombia to Vanuatu's relaxed speed limits, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring safe journeys. Prepare for a unique driving experience in each destination!
Lanes
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Insurance
colombia:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations