Driving in Samoa vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the vital contrasts in road regulations between Samoa and Tanzania, it's essential to understand how distinct their traffic norms are. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage for buses and cyclists, and requirements for safety equipment. This comparison aims to equip travelers with the knowledge for safer journeys in these unique regions.
Lanes
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; 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 dedicated lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
tanzania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30-50 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 | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
tanzania:
N/A
Signals
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Significant fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 112 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
tanzania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
tanzania:
112
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
tanzania:
Common