Driving in Greece vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for a safe journey. In this comparison between Greece and Kenya, notable distinctions emerge, such as driving on the right in Greece versus the left in Kenya. Speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signage also vary significantly, impacting your overall driving experience and safety.
Lanes
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
greece:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
kenya:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
kenya:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Kenya |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
kenya:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
greece:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay