Driving in Mexico vs South Africa: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Mexico and South Africa, distinct variations emerge that can impact your journey. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for safe travel. Discover how driving customs diverge between these two vibrant nations and ensure your road experience is both enjoyable and secure.
Lanes
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| 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; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
mexico:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay