Driving Safety: Russia vs. Sweden - Key Differences
Driving in Russia and Sweden reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety practices. From speed limits to lane markings, these nations adopt differing standards that can significantly impact your journey. Understanding these variances is vital for ensuring a secure travel experience while exploring their unique landscapes.
Lanes
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
russia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
russia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
russia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
russia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
russia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
russia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
russia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
russia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
russia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
russia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
russia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
russia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
russia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
russia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
russia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
russia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
russia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
russia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
russia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
russia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
russia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
russia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
russia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
russia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
russia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
russia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
russia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
russia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
russia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
russia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
russia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
russia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
russia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.