Driving in Guatemala vs. Senegal: Key Safety Differences
Explore the contrasting aspects of vehicular regulations and road conduct in Guatemala and Senegal. While Guatemala features less stringent speed limits and varied lane usage, Senegal showcases dedicated bus and bicycle lanes, stricter alcohol limits, and a well-defined inspection system. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
senegal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
senegal:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
senegal:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
senegal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
senegal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
senegal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
senegal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
senegal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
senegal:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
senegal:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
senegal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
senegal:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
senegal:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Senegal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not commonly allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
senegal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
guatemala:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
senegal:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 18 or 17 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 17 |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
senegal:
18 or 17
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
senegal:
17
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | 10,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Varies; significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; often required immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
senegal:
10,000 CFA
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days