Editing Transport in Panama (section)

==Road transport==
* Total: 15,137&nbsp;km
** ''paved:'' 6,351&nbsp;km (including 149&nbsp;km of expressways)
** ''unpaved:'' 8,785&nbsp;km (2010)

Panama has well-developed highways in particular, there are four main [[Controlled-access highway|expressways]]:

*Corredor Sur: [[Panama City]] to the [[Tocumen International Airport]], 26&nbsp;km ([[toll road]]).
*Corredor Norte: Panama City to Tocumen, 30&nbsp; km (toll road).
*Autopista La Chorrera: Panama City to [[La Chorrera, Panama|La Chorrera]], 44&nbsp;km (formerly a toll road, but free from tolls since 2009<ref>{{cite web|date=July 1, 2009|title=Eliminan peaje en autopista|url=https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/Eliminan-peaje-autopista_0_2601489903.html|trans-title=Highway tolls eliminated|website=La Prensa Panamá|language=es|access-date=January 21, 2025}}</ref>).
*Colón Expressway: Panama City to [[Colón, Panama|Colón]], 59&nbsp;km (toll road).

Because of recent upgrades, the [[Pan-American highway]] has four lanes that run from Panama City to [[Santiago de Veraguas]]. Also, a small section of the Pan-American highway from [[Tocumen]] to [[Pacora]], counting for 18&nbsp; km has been upgraded to a freeway. The same is true for the Pan-American stretch between [[David, Panama|David]] and [[Capacho]], on the border with [[Costa Rica]], adding 55&nbsp;km of freeway. The newly built freeway between [[David, Panama|David]] and [[Bajo Boquete]], extends for 38&nbsp;km.  This also applies to the [[Chitré]] - [[Las Tablas, Los Santos|Las Tablas]] freeway that extends for 30&nbsp;km.

Panama's roads, traffic, and transportation systems are generally safe, however, non-functioning traffic lights are common. Driving is often hazardous and demanding due to dense traffic, undisciplined driving habits, poorly maintained streets, and a lack of effective signs and traffic signals. On roads where poor lighting and driving conditions prevail, night driving is difficult. Night driving is particularly hazardous on the old Panama City – Colon highway.<ref name=travel>{{citation-attribution|1=[https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html "Panama: Country-specific information"] {{Webarchive|url=http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204211128/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html |archive-date=2013-12-04  |date=2013-12-04 }}. [[U.S. Department of State]] (March 18, 2009). }}</ref>

Buses and taxis are not always maintained in a safe operating condition due to lack of regulatory enforcement, and since 2007 auto insurance has been mandatory in Panama.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2007/02/27/hoy/panorama/903035.html |title=Llegó la hora cero para el seguro vehicular obligatorio :: Prensa.com :: 2007 |access-date=2009-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928152251/http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2007/02/27/hoy/panorama/903035.html |archive-date=2011-09-28 }}</ref> Traffic in Panama moves on the right, and Panamanian law requires that drivers and passengers wear seat belts, but airbags are not mandatory.<ref name=travel/>

Flooding during the April to December rainy season occasionally makes city streets unusable for most vehicles, and washes out some roads in rural areas. In addition, rural areas are often poorly maintained and lack illumination at night. Such roads are generally less traveled and the availability of emergency roadside assistance is very limited. Road travel is more dangerous during the rainy season and from the time of Carnival through to [[Good Friday]]. Carnival starts the Saturday before [[Ash Wednesday]] and goes on for four days.<ref name=travel/>