Driving in Madagascar vs. Montenegro: Key Safety Insights
When exploring the roads of Madagascar and Montenegro, understanding their unique traffic norms is essential for safe travel. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations, with Madagascar generally allowing higher blood alcohol content than Montenegro. This comparison ensures that travelers are well-informed and prepared for a secure driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
montenegro:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
montenegro:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
montenegro:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
montenegro:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
montenegro:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Montenegro |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
montenegro:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
montenegro:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
montenegro:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
montenegro:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Use common but regulated |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
montenegro:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
montenegro:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
montenegro:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
montenegro:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
montenegro:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
montenegro:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
montenegro:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
montenegro:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
montenegro:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days