Driving in Madagascar vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving practices between Madagascar and Panama, where unique regulations and road etiquettes shape each country's transportation landscape. Discover key contrasts, such as speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations, essential for ensuring your safety while navigating foreign roads. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge before embarking on your journey.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
panama:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 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. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
panama:
Common
Signals
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Panama |
| 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, especially in urban 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 | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
panama:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
panama:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
panama:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
panama:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| 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
panama:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
panama:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
panama:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| 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 | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay