Driving in Austria vs. Ghana: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Austria and Ghana, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and the presence of designated bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Ghana |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
ghana:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Turns
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
ghana:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay