Driving in Panama vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
As you prepare for your journey in Panama or Russia, understanding the unique road regulations and practices in each nation is essential for a secure experience. Key distinctions include variable speed limits in Russia, restricted bus lane usage in Panama, and differing alcohol limits for drivers. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel safety.
Lanes
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | 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
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 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 | Common | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in Russia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Emergency Services
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay