Driving Differences: Greece vs. Samoa For Safe Travels
When traveling abroad, understanding the unique driving customs is crucial for ensuring road safety. This comparison between Greece and Samoa reveals significant contrasts, such as driving on the right versus the left, varying speed limits, and distinct rules for overtaking. Navigating these differences can enhance your driving experience and safety in both nations.
Lanes
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
greece:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
greece:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Samoa |
| 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 Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
samoa:
Common
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| 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
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay