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Driving Differences: Cuba vs. Sweden Explained

Discover the distinct contrasts in road regulations and practices between Cuba and Sweden. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, these countries showcase unique approaches to vehicular safety. Understanding these variations is crucial for travelers to navigate confidently and responsibly, ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.

Lanes

Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
cuba:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cuba:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
sweden:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cuba:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.

Speeds Limits

Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
sweden:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.

Signals

Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
cuba:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cuba:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cuba:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
cuba:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
cuba:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cuba:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
cuba:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cuba:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
cuba:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.

Turns

Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
cuba:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
cuba:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
cuba:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
cuba:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.

Documentation

Driver's License: Requirement
cuba:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
cuba:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Road Etiquette

Flashing Lights: Usage
cuba:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
cuba:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cuba:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cuba:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
cuba:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
cuba:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
cuba:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.

Alcohol

Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
cuba:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
cuba:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cuba:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.

Roundabouts

Priority: Entering
cuba:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
cuba:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
cuba:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
cuba:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
cuba:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
cuba:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.

Emergency Services

Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Penalties And Fines

Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
cuba:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cuba:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.