Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs Tonga for Safe Travels
Discover the unique driving environments of Ivory Coast and Tonga, where key distinctions shape road experiences. From driving sides and speed regulations to road etiquette and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for safe navigation. Whether you're exploring urban streets or rural paths, be prepared for the contrasts that define these two regions.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ivory coast:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ivory coast:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | 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 | 90 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 | 110 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ivory coast:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ivory coast:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ivory coast:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
tonga:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required; proof may be 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
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ivory coast:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | Contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
tonga:
Contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred