Driving Differences: Samoa vs. Sri Lanka Explained
Driving in Samoa and Sri Lanka presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key contrasts include speed limits in urban and rural areas, the presence of dedicated bus lanes, and varying alcohol limits for drivers. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions will enhance your journey and ensure a safer experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
sri lanka:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
samoa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, proof required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 119 or contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot