Driving in Fiji vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the distinctive driving cultures of Fiji and Mexico, travelers will encounter notable contrasts in road etiquette, lane usage, and speed regulations. From driving on opposite sides to differing speed limits in urban areas, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
mexico:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
mexico:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Mexico |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Varies by state; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments