Driving in Senegal vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Senegal and Switzerland, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations and customs that influence vehicular conduct. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds, all of which can significantly impact your journey. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided 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 Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
senegal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
senegal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
senegal:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
senegal:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
senegal:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 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
senegal:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
senegal:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
senegal:
110 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
senegal:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
senegal:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
senegal:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
senegal:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Senegal | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
senegal:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Senegal | 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; proof may be required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
senegal:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
senegal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
switzerland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
senegal:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
senegal:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
senegal:
Can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
senegal:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
senegal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
senegal:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 18 or 17 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
senegal:
18 or 17
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
senegal:
17
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
senegal:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
senegal:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Senegal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 10,000 CFA | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; significant fines | CHF 100 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required immediately | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
senegal:
10,000 CFA
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
switzerland:
CHF 100
Payment: On The Spot
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay