The Nicaraguan national police are responsible for road safety, but because the government lacks resources, traffic rules are rarely enforced. Road travel after dark is hazardous in all areas of the country. Road signage is usually poor to non-existent. Nicaraguan roads generally lack shoulders, and are narrow, in disrepair and poorly lit. Motorcyles, often carrying two or more passengers, dart in and out of traffic with little or no warning.
Many vehicles are in poor condition, travel very slowly and are likely to break down at any time.
Wheels have been known to fly off cars and axles to collapse on moving vehicles. Nicaraguan drivers do not usually signal when turning, slowing or stopping. If signals are used, they often do not mean what U.S. drivers would expect. The most common signal in Nicaragua is a hand waving from the driver's window. This signal has no specific meaning, except to alert other motorists that the person signaling is about to take an unspecified action.