Driving Differences: Samoa vs Tonga Safety Insights
When navigating the roads of Samoa and Tonga, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a secure journey. Key variations include speed limits, overtaking rules, and penalties for infractions. While Samoa mandates annual vehicle inspections, Tonga emphasizes immediate payment for traffic fines. Explore these contrasts to ensure safe travels in both nations.
Lanes
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
samoa:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
samoa:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
samoa:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Alcohol
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | Contact local police |
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
tonga:
Contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred