Driving in Madagascar vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Madagascar and Serbia, drivers will encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol tolerances and traffic signaling, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Our thorough comparison highlights these essential contrasts, empowering travelers to navigate safely in both nations.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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'; often with road signs. |
| 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 | N/A |
| 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.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
serbia:
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.
serbia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
serbia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
serbia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
serbia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
serbia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
serbia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Serbia |
| 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 | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
serbia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
serbia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
serbia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
serbia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
serbia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
serbia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
serbia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
serbia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
serbia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
serbia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
serbia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
serbia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay