Driving in Panama vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey in Panama or Switzerland? Understanding the unique driving regulations and road etiquette of each nation is crucial for a safe experience. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions and emergency contacts, this comparison highlights key distinctions that every traveler should know to navigate these diverse driving landscapes effectively.
Lanes
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
panama:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
panama:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| 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
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay