Driving in Ireland vs. Peru: Key Safety Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Ireland and Peru, understanding the unique regulations and customs is crucial for ensuring a smooth journey. From the distinct driving sides—left in Ireland and right in Peru—to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, this comparison highlights essential contrasts that can significantly impact your travel experience and road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
peru:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
peru:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Peru |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
ireland:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
peru:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
peru:
Not used in Peru
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
peru:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used more compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
peru:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay