Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. Switzerland
When comparing the road regulations of Ivory Coast and Switzerland, notable contrasts emerge that can significantly impact travelers. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds, each country presents unique guidelines that influence safety on the road. Understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
ivory coast:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ivory coast:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ivory coast:
Not used in Ivory Coast
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
switzerland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ivory coast:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
switzerland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
ivory coast:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
ivory coast:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay