Driving in Kenya vs. Malta: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Kenya and Malta reveals notable contrasts, such as speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions ensures a smoother driving experience and enhances overall road safety in both countries.
Lanes
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
malta:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
malta:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
malta:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
malta:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
malta:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
malta:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Malta |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English and Maltese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
kenya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
malta:
Not used in Malta
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
Turns
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
malta:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
malta:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
malta:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
malta:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
malta:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
malta:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
malta:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
malta:
112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Typically around €50, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Typically around €100, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kenya:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay