Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Uganda: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and safety practices between Sri Lanka and Uganda. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency contacts, each country exhibits unique driving customs. Understanding these key distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided 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 | Allowed when safe. | Not allowed |
| 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 | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
uganda:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
uganda:
Not allowed
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
uganda:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
uganda:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sri lanka:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 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; fines are applied at the time of citation | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
80 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sri lanka:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not used in Uganda |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
uganda:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signage |
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof 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
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
uganda:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in certain situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uganda:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 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
sri lanka:
119
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uganda:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | 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 | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
sri lanka:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket