Driving in Kenya vs Madagascar: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is essential for ensuring safety. In this comparison, we explore the contrasts between Kenya and Madagascar. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road and differing speed regulations, highlighting the importance of familiarizing oneself with local road rules to navigate safely.
Lanes
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
madagascar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
madagascar:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
kenya:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
kenya:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
kenya:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
kenya:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
kenya:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
kenya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
kenya:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
kenya:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
kenya:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
kenya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
madagascar:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority