Driving in Mexico vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Mexico and Tunisia, drivers will encounter distinct variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol restrictions, each nation has unique guidelines that affect road safety. Understanding these contrasts is vital for a secure driving experience abroad. Let’s delve into the essential disparities between these two captivating countries.
Lanes
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically permitted. |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
tunisia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
mexico:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay