Driving in Jordan vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety practices between Jordan and Latvia. From lane usage and speed limits to documentation requirements, this comparison reveals significant variations. Notably, Latvia boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes, while Jordan operates under different overtaking norms. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the roadway. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No specific bus lanes | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited; primarily in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicular traffic. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Cycle symbols where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
latvia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jordan:
N/A
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
latvia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jordan:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; common. | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
jordan:
50-60 km/h
latvia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jordan:
40 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jordan:
70-90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
70-90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jordan:
100-120 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jordan:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jordan:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jordan:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jordan:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jordan:
Yes; common.
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | To avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jordan:
Not typically used
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
jordan:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
jordan:
To avoid accidents
latvia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspections required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jordan:
Annual inspections required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use is common | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jordan:
Moderate use is common
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jordan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at checkpoints | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Enforcement: Random Checks
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
jordan:
Can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
jordan:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jordan:
911
latvia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
jordan:
911
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jordan:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jordan:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jordan | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, occasionally | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jordan:
Fines apply
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
jordan:
Fines apply
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jordan:
Fines apply
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days