Driving in Mexico vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Mexico and Nigeria, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experience behind the wheel. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol policies, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Let's explore how these two countries differ in their approach to safe travel.
Lanes
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
mexico:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not for other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
mexico:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
mexico:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
mexico:
Fines may apply for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
mexico:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
mexico:
Not to be used to signal other messages
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
mexico:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
mexico:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
mexico:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
mexico:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
mexico:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
mexico:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
mexico:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
mexico:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
mexico:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
mexico:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
mexico:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
nigeria:
Varies by offense