Driving Differences: Madagascar vs. Singapore
When exploring the roads of Madagascar and Singapore, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane usage—where Madagascar drives on the right and Singapore on the left—to varying speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and smooth journey abroad. Discover the essential driving nuances of these fascinating nations.
Lanes
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Right | Left |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Not allowed. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
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' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
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. |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 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 | 80-90 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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. | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Singapore |
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 | English; 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
singapore:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
singapore:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
singapore:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
singapore:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed. |
U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Display not required |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
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 and pedestrian zones |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
madagascar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
singapore:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
singapore:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
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
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 995 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 999 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Madagascar | Singapore | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
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 | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | $200 to $500, demerit points |
Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay