Driving in El Salvador vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Insights
Explore the intriguing contrasts in vehicular regulations between El Salvador and Pakistan. From differing speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic signals, this comprehensive comparison highlights essential aspects of road safety. Understanding these distinctions will empower travelers to navigate both countries with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
el salvador:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
el salvador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
el salvador:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
el salvador:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
el salvador:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Not used |
| 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 in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
el salvador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
el salvador:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
el salvador:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
el salvador:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
el salvador:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay