Driving Differences: Israel vs. Tonga for Safe Travel
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving regulations in Israel and Tonga. From varying speed limits to distinct road etiquette, each nation presents unique challenges for motorists. Notably, Israel drives on the right while Tonga adheres to the left. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either locale.
Lanes
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| 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. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
israel:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
israel:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
israel:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 | English and Tongan; 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.
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
israel:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
israel:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred