Driving Differences: Mexico vs. Tonga for Safe Travels
When navigating the roads of Mexico and Tonga, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact safety and compliance. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure and enjoyable journey, ensuring that both locals and visitors can travel with confidence in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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 |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
mexico:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
mexico:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be 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
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred