Driving in Ireland vs Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Tanzania, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From speed limits to overtaking rules, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore the key differences between these two nations to enhance your road safety and have a seamless driving adventure.
Lanes
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the right 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. | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tanzania |
| 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 | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
tanzania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Documentation
| Ireland | 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: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
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
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
tanzania:
Common