Driving in Madagascar vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Madagascar and Russia, understanding the distinct driving regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings to speed limits, notable contrasts exist, such as the permissibility of overtaking and varying alcohol limits. Prepare for your adventure by familiarizing yourself with these essential differences.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled with specific road signs or 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. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
russia:
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.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
russia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Russia |
| 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 | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
russia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
russia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
russia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
russia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Less 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 right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
russia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
russia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
russia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common, especially in cities |
| 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%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay