Driving Differences: Israel vs Panama for Safe Travels
When comparing the driving environments of Israel and Panama, notable distinctions emerge in regulations and practices. From speed limits to traffic signals, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. For instance, while Israel enforces stricter speed regulations, Panama permits overtaking on multi-lane roads. Stay informed to navigate these roads safely!
Lanes
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| 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.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 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 | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, 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 | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations