Driving in Iceland vs Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the roads of Iceland and Jamaica unveils a fascinating contrast in motoring regulations and practices. While Icelandic drivers navigate on the right with solid yellow lane markings, Jamaicans adhere to left-side traffic, emphasizing caution with various lane usages. Understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these unique landscapes.
Lanes
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
iceland:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
jamaica:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Jamaica |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
iceland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
jamaica:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
iceland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
iceland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
iceland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
iceland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
iceland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
iceland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
iceland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
iceland:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
iceland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
iceland:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
iceland:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
iceland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
iceland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
iceland:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
iceland:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
iceland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
iceland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
iceland:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
iceland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
iceland:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
iceland:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines