Driving in Samoa vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Samoa and Switzerland, where varying road rules significantly impact travel experiences. Key disparities include driving sides—left in Samoa and right in Switzerland—and speed limits that differ notably across urban and rural areas. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
samoa:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80 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 | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
samoa:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
samoa:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay