Driving in Jamaica vs. Paraguay: Key Safety Differences
When traveling from Jamaica to Paraguay, understanding vital distinctions in driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Notably, Jamaicans drive on the left, while Paraguayans drive on the right. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage vary significantly, impacting overall road etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances will enhance your travel experience and ensure safety on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| 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 | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | N/A |
Driving Side
jamaica:
Left
paraguay:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
paraguay:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
paraguay:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
jamaica:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 used in Paraguay |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate 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 | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
paraguay:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
paraguay:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
paraguay:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
paraguay:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
paraguay:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
paraguay:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
paraguay:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| 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 | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
paraguay:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
paraguay:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
paraguay:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | More frequent than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to allow passage |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
paraguay:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
paraguay:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
paraguay:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
paraguay:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
paraguay:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
paraguay:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% |
| 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; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
paraguay:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
paraguay:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
paraguay:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
paraguay:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
paraguay:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | 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
paraguay:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
paraguay:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
paraguay:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
paraguay:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
paraguay:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
paraguay:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; usually within 30 days |
| 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
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
paraguay:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
paraguay:
Possible if fines are not paid