Driving in Panama vs. Uzbekistan: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the distinct driving landscapes of Panama and Uzbekistan unveils fascinating contrasts that are vital for road safety abroad. From lane regulations and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, this comparison highlights crucial aspects that travelers must navigate. Understanding these variations ensures a smoother and safer journey in these unique environments.
Lanes
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
panama:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
panama:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
panama:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
panama:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 102 |
| 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
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
panama:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines