Driving Differences: Ivory Coast vs. Vanuatu Safety Tips
Discover the driving contrasts between Ivory Coast and Vanuatu, two unique nations with distinct road regulations. Key takeaways include the presence of bus and cycle lanes in Ivory Coast, while Vanuatu lacks these features. Additionally, speed limits, alcohol thresholds, and enforcement methods vary significantly, emphasizing the importance of understanding these variations for safe travel.
Lanes
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Typically reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ivory coast:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ivory coast:
Exclusive for bicycles, but limited in urban areas.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ivory coast:
Bicycle symbols and possibly colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ivory coast:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for some infractions. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
ivory coast:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ivory coast:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ivory coast:
110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ivory coast:
110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ivory coast:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ivory coast:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ivory coast:
Yes, for some infractions.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ivory Coast | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Headlight Flash: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn other drivers of your presence
vanuatu:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
ivory coast:
French; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ivory coast:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
ivory coast:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ivory coast:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Insurance
ivory coast:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ivory coast:
Annual vehicle inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ivory coast:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ivory coast:
Recommended but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ivory coast:
To warn of hazards
vanuatu:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ivory coast:
More frequent use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ivory coast:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
ivory coast:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ivory coast:
0.04%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ivory coast:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ivory coast:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
ivory coast:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
ivory coast:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 170 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 171 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
ivory coast:
170
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ivory coast:
171
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ivory coast:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Ivory coast | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines may apply, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, points may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, points may apply | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for some infractions | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically stipulated | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ivory coast:
Varies; fines may apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ivory coast:
Varies, points may apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points may apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ivory coast:
Fines may apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ivory coast:
Possible for some infractions
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
ivory coast:
Varies; typically stipulated
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay