Driving in Lebanon vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Lebanon and Samoa, distinct variances in traffic regulations and driving customs can significantly impact your journey. From the side of the road you travel on to speed limits and signaling practices, understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad. Explore the essential distinctions to enhance your road awareness.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Signals
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Samoa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
samoa:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay