Driving in Israel vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the nuances of road regulations between Israel and Mexico reveals intriguing contrasts in driving practices. From overtaking rules to speed limits, both nations present unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad, especially when navigating unfamiliar terrains.
Lanes
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
mexico:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
mexico:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Mexico |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments