Driving Safety: Ireland vs. Vanuatu Insights
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that greatly influence road safety. From driving sides to speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these variances is crucial. This comparison highlights the key distinctions, ensuring you drive confidently and securely in either destination.
Lanes
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 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 | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ireland:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vanuatu |
| 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: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
vanuatu:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Insurance
ireland:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations