Driving in Pakistan vs. Singapore: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Pakistan and Singapore, distinct contrasts in regulations and practices emerge. From lane markings and speed limits to pedestrian priorities, understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Delve into the unique driving cultures of both nations to enhance your travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 80-90 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; fines can be issued on the spot | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
pakistan:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Singapore |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
singapore:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| 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 |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
pakistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
singapore:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
pakistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
singapore:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay