Driving in Croatia vs Samoa: Key Differences Explored
When embarking on a journey through Croatia or Samoa, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is essential for a safe experience. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Croatia versus the left in Samoa, differing speed limits, and the presence of specialized lanes. Stay informed to navigate these unique driving environments confidently.
Lanes
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
croatia:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
croatia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
croatia:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
croatia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
croatia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
croatia:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Samoa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
samoa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
croatia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
croatia:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay