Driving in Samoa vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
Discover the unique road regulations of Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago, two vibrant nations with distinct driving cultures. While both permit right-side overtaking, Samoa lacks dedicated bus lanes and cycle paths, unlike Trinidad and Tobago. Understanding these contrasts can enhance your travel experience and ensure a safer journey through diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| 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.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 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 | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
samoa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Insurance
samoa:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
Flashing Lights: Usage
samoa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Alcohol
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days