Driving in Kenya vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kenya and Samoa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits, which vary significantly between the two nations. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
samoa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Signals
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
samoa:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards