Driving in Iceland vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
When traveling from Iceland to Mexico, understanding the distinct road regulations and norms is crucial for a secure journey. Key differences include speed limits, the use of bus and cycle lanes, and the regulations surrounding alcohol consumption. Navigating these varied driving landscapes ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
mexico:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 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 | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Mexico |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
mexico:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
mexico:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
mexico:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
mexico:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
mexico:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments