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.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in latvia is the Right Side of the road
71
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in latvia is 71
1.692 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for latvia is 1.692 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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.
Alcohol
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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