Driving in Madagascar vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Madagascar and Pakistan, distinct regulations and practices shape the driving experience. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol enforcement, each country presents unique challenges. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to enhance your road safety awareness in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
pakistan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used |
| 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 in residential areas |
| 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 | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
pakistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
pakistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
pakistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
pakistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay