Driving Safety: South Africa vs. South Korea Insights
When navigating the roads of South Africa and South Korea, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that impact their travel experience. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic signals and overtaking rules, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the contrasts to drive confidently in these diverse nations.
Lanes
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Driving Side
south africa:
Left
south korea:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
south korea:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south africa:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay