Driving in Jamaica vs Madagascar: A Safety Comparison
Discover the contrasting road regulations between Jamaica and Madagascar, two vibrant nations with unique driving environments. From right-hand versus left-hand driving to distinct speed limits, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safer journeys. Dive into this comprehensive comparison to navigate unfamiliar roads with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Typically not used. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | Speed limits are fixed. |
Driving Side
jamaica:
Left
madagascar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
madagascar:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
madagascar:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
jamaica:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
jamaica:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Jamaica | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not widely restricted | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
madagascar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
madagascar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
madagascar:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless signs prohibit it | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
madagascar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
madagascar:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Informally regulated | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the side if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
madagascar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
madagascar:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
madagascar:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
madagascar:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.02% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check for impairment warnings | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasionally conducted | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
madagascar:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
madagascar:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
madagascar:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
madagascar:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if taking an immediate exit | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for immediate or second exit | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for other exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
madagascar:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
madagascar:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
madagascar:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
madagascar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Determined by issuing authority |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for unresolved fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
madagascar:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
madagascar:
Possible if fines are not paid