Driving in Samoa vs. Singapore: Key Safety Differences
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of Samoa and Singapore as we explore their key variances. While Samoa features less structured lanes and relaxed speed limits, Singapore boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes along with stricter regulations. Understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring your safety on the roads in either destination.
Lanes
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
singapore:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
samoa:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Display not required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
samoa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay