Driving Safety: Norway vs. Panama Explained
When navigating the roads of Norway and Panama, distinct regulations and practices shape the driving experience. From speed limits to lane markings, key disparities emerge, such as Norway's strict vehicle occupancy rules and Panama's more relaxed approach to overtaking. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
panama:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
norway:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
norway:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations