Driving Differences: Fiji vs Tanzania Safety Insights
When it comes to navigating the roads of Fiji and Tanzania, understanding the unique regulations and norms is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include the presence of bus and cycle lanes in Tanzania, contrasting with Fiji's simpler road layout. Additionally, while both nations enforce strict penalties for violations, their speed limits and emergency protocols differ significantly.
Lanes
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
tanzania:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
tanzania:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Tanzania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Significant fines apply |
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay