Driving in Malta vs Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Malta and Samoa, distinct contrasts emerge, particularly in speed limits, lane markings, and enforcement measures. While Malta boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Samoa's guidelines focus on driving speed within urban zones. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on some divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate parking restrictions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared use with caution, marked on roads. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malta:
Marks the left edge on some divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malta:
Often used to indicate parking restrictions.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
malta:
Reserved for buses and emergency vehicles.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
malta:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malta:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malta:
Shared use with caution, marked on roads.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malta:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malta:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
malta:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malta:
50 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malta:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malta:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
malta:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malta:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malta:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malta:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malta | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Maltese; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malta:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
samoa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malta:
Not used in Malta
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
malta:
English and Maltese; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malta:
Triangular-shaped with a white background or yellow.
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
malta:
Varies by location; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malta:
Annual vehicle inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malta:
Displayed on license plate or windshield.
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Reasonably enforced; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malta:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malta:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
malta:
Reasonably enforced; can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malta:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
malta:
112 for emergencies
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malta:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Malta
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malta:
Recommended but not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malta | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Typically around €50, points may apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Typically around €100, points on license | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Typically around €100, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malta:
Varies; typically €35 to €70, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malta:
Varies; substantial fines and possible jail time
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malta:
Typically around €50, points may apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malta:
Typically around €100, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malta:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
malta:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay