Driving in Romania vs Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Romania and Samoa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides—right in Romania and left in Samoa—and varying speed limits, emphasizing the importance of understanding local customs for safe navigation. Prepare for an enlightening comparison that ensures your journey is both smooth and secure.
Lanes
| Romania | 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 | Limited, mainly in urban areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
romania:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
romania:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
romania:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 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 | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
romania:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
romania:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
romania:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Not used in Samoa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 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 regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Considerable fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
romania:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
romania:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
romania:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
samoa:
Possible if fines are not paid