Driving Differences: Samoa vs. Uganda Revealed
When navigating the roads of Samoa and Uganda, distinct driving customs and regulations shape your experience. From speed limits—lower in Samoa—to the use of bus lanes and alcohol limits, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore these contrasting practices to enhance your international travel safety.
Lanes
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not allowed |
| 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 | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
uganda:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
uganda:
Not allowed
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
uganda:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
uganda:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Uganda |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| 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
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
uganda:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in certain situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Alcohol
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uganda:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uganda:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket