Driving in Kenya vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Kenya and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can greatly impact their safety. From varying speed limits to the sides of the road on which to drive, understanding these contrasts is essential. Discover the crucial differences in lane usage, alcohol limits, and emergency protocols to ensure a secure journey in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
kenya:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 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 | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
kenya:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
kenya:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
kenya:
Not allowed.
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Insurance
kenya:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
kenya:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
vanuatu:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kenya:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations