Driving in Denmark vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving regulations between Denmark and Panama reveals intriguing contrasts in rules and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and penalties, these two nations offer unique approaches to road safety. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for travelers seeking a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
panama:
Common
Signals
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Panama |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
denmark:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
panama:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay