Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Switzerland: A Safety Guide
When exploring the diverse road customs of Sri Lanka and Switzerland, distinct variations in traffic rules and regulations emerge. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides, unique lane markings, and differing speed limits. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
sri lanka:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sri lanka:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sri lanka:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 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; fines are applied at the time of citation | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
sri lanka:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sri lanka:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Prepare to go |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used more frequently in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
switzerland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
sri lanka:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | 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
sri lanka:
0.06%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
sri lanka:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
sri lanka:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sri lanka:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay