Driving in Ivory Coast vs Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Ivory Coast and Samoa, understanding their distinct driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key differences include driving on the right in Ivory Coast versus the left in Samoa, varying speed limits, and unique road etiquette. Grasping these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a smooth and secure experience behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically 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, but limited in urban areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
ivory coast:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
ivory coast:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Samoa |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
samoa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
samoa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 685-22-222 |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
samoa:
685-22-222
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay