Driving Differences: Japan vs. Samoa for Safe Travel
Explore the intriguing contrasts in transportation regulations between Japan and Samoa. While Japan boasts strict lane markings and variable speed limits, Samoa offers more relaxed speed restrictions and unique road etiquette. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on the roads of each nation.
Lanes
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
samoa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | 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
japan:
119
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay