Driving in Kazakhstan vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
Kazakhstan and Samoa present intriguing contrasts in their roadway regulations and traffic norms. While Kazakhstan operates on the right side of the road and enforces strict speed limits, Samoa drives on the left with a more lenient approach to alcohol consumption. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe travel and compliance in either nation.
Lanes
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Varies by region | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles where present. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
kazakhstan:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kazakhstan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
kazakhstan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
kazakhstan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kazakhstan:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kazakhstan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kazakhstan:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kazakhstan | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kazakhstan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kazakhstan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Roundabouts
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
kazakhstan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 102 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kazakhstan:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
kazakhstan:
Call 102
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kazakhstan:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kazakhstan:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kazakhstan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for handheld use while driving | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
Common Fines: Speeding
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards