Driving in Latvia vs. Madagascar: Key Safety Differences
As you prepare to navigate the roads of Latvia and Madagascar, understanding their distinctive traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key disparities include speed limits—Latvia's strict urban limits of 30 km/h versus Madagascar's 50 km/h—as well as varying lane usage practices. Familiarizing yourself with these unique driving customs will enhance your travel experience.
Lanes
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
latvia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
madagascar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
latvia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | Latvian; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
latvia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
latvia:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
latvia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
latvia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | 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 vehicle inspection required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | 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 zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
latvia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
latvia:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
latvia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
latvia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
latvia:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority