Driving in Mexico vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the driving landscapes of Mexico and Taiwan reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety measures. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerance, each country presents unique guidelines that can impact your travel experience. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
mexico:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Mandarin; 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
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| 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
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay