Driving in Mexico vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. This comparison highlights the notable distinctions between driving in Mexico and Samoa. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic signals, grasping these contrasts will help you navigate with confidence and respect for local customs.
Lanes
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
mexico:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay