Driving in Bahrain vs. Ghana: Key Safety Differences
Driving regulations in Bahrain and Ghana present intriguing contrasts, impacting road safety and navigation. Key distinctions include speed limits, signaling practices, and lane usage. While Bahrain enforces stricter rules on alcohol consumption and bus lanes, Ghana allows right turns on red, showcasing unique approaches to vehicular conduct and ensuring traveler awareness in both nations.
Lanes
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Generally not advised. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | No |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
ghana:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
ghana:
Yes
Signals
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Ghana |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
ghana:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
ghana:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
ghana:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
ghana:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Yes, used occasionally |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ghana:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
ghana:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
ghana:
Substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 191 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 18555 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Bahrain | Ghana | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Moderate fines |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay