Driving in Sweden vs. Tanzania: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the distinct driving practices between Sweden and Tanzania reveals fascinating contrasts that impact road safety. While Sweden prioritizes right-side navigation and stringent speed regulations, Tanzania's left-side driving and differing lane usage present unique challenges. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
sweden:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
tanzania:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
sweden:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
sweden:
30-50 km/h
tanzania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
sweden:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
70-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sweden:
70-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
70-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
90-120 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sweden:
90-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
80-90 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in Sweden. | Not used in Tanzania |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use is generally discouraged. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Swedish; symbols are standard. | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
sweden:
Yellow
tanzania:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
tanzania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
tanzania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
tanzania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
tanzania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
tanzania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
tanzania:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
tanzania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
tanzania:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
tanzania:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
tanzania:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
tanzania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
tanzania:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
tanzania:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
sweden:
Prohibited.
tanzania:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Proof may be required to be shown. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
tanzania:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Insurance
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
tanzania:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Rarely used except for emergencies. | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
tanzania:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
tanzania:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
tanzania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
tanzania:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
tanzania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
tanzania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
tanzania:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. | Significant fines apply |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
tanzania:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
tanzania:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
tanzania:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
tanzania:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
tanzania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
tanzania:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
tanzania:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
tanzania:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
tanzania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
tanzania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Sweden | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | SEK 1500, points on license. | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and possible points on license. | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically within 30 days to pay. | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
tanzania:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.
tanzania:
Possible if fines are not paid