Driving Differences: El Salvador vs. Vanuatu Safety Tips
When exploring the roadways of El Salvador and Vanuatu, distinct variations in traffic regulations and practices emerge. From the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in El Salvador to Vanuatu's unique approach to speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both nations.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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 | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
el salvador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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 | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
el salvador:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
el salvador:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay