Driving in Guatemala vs. Singapore: A Safety Comparison
Welcome to the driving comparison between Guatemala and Singapore, where we explore vital distinctions in road regulations and practices. Key takeaways include the contrasting driving sides—right in Guatemala and left in Singapore—and variations in speed limits and lane usage. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
guatemala:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
guatemala:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay