Driving in Jamaica vs. Samoa: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations and practices in Jamaica and Samoa. While both nations emphasize driver caution, Jamaica features more robust lane markings and higher speed limits. Conversely, Samoa prioritizes straightforward traffic signals and a lower alcohol limit for professional drivers. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
samoa:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
samoa:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Samoa |
| 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 | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
samoa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
samoa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
samoa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
samoa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
samoa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
samoa:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
samoa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| 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 unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
samoa:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
samoa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
samoa:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the left and stop 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
samoa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
samoa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
samoa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
samoa:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
samoa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
samoa:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| 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 |
| 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: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
samoa:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
samoa:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
samoa:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
samoa:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
samoa:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
samoa:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
samoa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| 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
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
samoa:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
samoa:
Possible if fines are not paid