Driving in Barbados vs. Ghana: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Barbados and Ghana, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key differences include driving on the left in Barbados versus the right in Ghana, varying speed limits, and specific rules for overtaking and road etiquette. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Generally not advised. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
ghana:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
ghana:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Ghana |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
ghana:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
ghana:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
ghana:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ghana:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay