Driving Safety: Hungary vs. Mexico – Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Hungary and Mexico, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that can greatly influence their travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring a secure journey abroad. Understanding these contrasts is essential for safe navigation in each country.
Lanes
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except in special cases. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Rare | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
hungary:
List length: 4
mexico:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
hungary:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Rare
mexico:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; issued by traffic police | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
hungary:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
hungary:
20-30 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
hungary:
70 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
hungary:
130 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
hungary:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
hungary:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
hungary:
Yes
mexico:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepares traffic for a green signal. | Not used in Mexico |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hungarian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
hungary:
Not allowed.
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Limited use | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
hungary:
Limited use
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe; license suspension is a possibility | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 107 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or specific insurance hotline | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
hungary:
112
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
hungary:
107
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
hungary:
Required
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
hungary:
Required
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Hungary | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Severe fines and potential demerit points | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments