Driving in Russia vs. South Africa: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Russia and South Africa, notable contrasts emerge that are crucial for travelers. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and distinct traffic signage, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Explore how these two nations prioritize vehicle operation and adherence to regulations.
Lanes
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
russia:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
russia:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Not applicable |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
south africa:
Not applicable
Road Etiquette
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
russia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
Contact: General Emergency
russia:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay