Driving in Hong Kong vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Hong Kong and Tanzania, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and emergency protocols. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad, allowing for safer and more informed driving decisions in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hong kong:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hong kong:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hong kong:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used when lights are about to turn green | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese and English; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Hong kong | 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: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hong kong:
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
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
hong kong:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; usually contact through 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA | 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
hong kong:
999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Hong kong | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | HK$2,000, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | HK$900, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay