Driving in Pakistan vs. Samoa: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the distinct driving landscapes of Pakistan and Samoa, it's crucial to understand their unique road regulations and traffic norms. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, highlighting the need for enhanced awareness and caution. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Samoa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
samoa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
samoa:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
samoa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
samoa:
Common
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay