Driving in Panama vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Panama and Turkey, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country, highlighting the importance of adapting to local traffic norms.
Lanes
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
panama:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges