Driving in Peru vs Samoa: Key Differences to Know
When navigating the roads of Peru and Samoa, travelers encounter distinct variances in traffic customs and regulations. From driving on opposite sides to unique speed limits, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Explore how these two countries differ in their approach to road safety, lane usage, and penalties to drive with confidence abroad.
Lanes
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
peru:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
peru:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
peru:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
peru:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
peru:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
peru:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
peru:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Peru | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
peru:
Yellow
samoa:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
peru:
Not used in Peru
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
peru:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used more compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used widely | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
peru:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
peru:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
peru:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
peru:
105
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
peru:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay