Driving in Mexico vs. Singapore: Key Safety Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, understanding the contrasts between Mexico and Singapore is crucial for safe travels. From driving sides and speed limits to road etiquette and alcohol regulations, these nations present unique regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these disparities will enhance your journey and ensure you drive responsibly abroad.
Lanes
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Display not required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
mexico:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay