Driving in Jamaica vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Jamaica and Vanuatu, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key distinctions arise in aspects such as driving side, speed limits, and lane etiquette. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either locale.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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 | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
jamaica:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
vanuatu:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
jamaica:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vanuatu |
| 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: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
vanuatu:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
vanuatu:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
vanuatu:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
vanuatu:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
vanuatu:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
vanuatu:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
vanuatu:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not typically 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 | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
vanuatu:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
vanuatu:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
jamaica:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side 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
vanuatu:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
vanuatu:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
vanuatu:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
vanuatu:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
vanuatu:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
vanuatu:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
vanuatu:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% - 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 | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Fines can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
vanuatu:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
vanuatu:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
vanuatu:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
vanuatu:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
vanuatu:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
vanuatu:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
vanuatu:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| 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
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; can be significant |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Possible; or through police stations |
| 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
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
vanuatu:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
vanuatu:
Possible if fines are not paid