Driving in Belgium vs. Ghana: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Belgium and Ghana, notable contrasts in traffic regulations and safety practices emerge. From lane markings and speed limits to emergency contacts and alcohol thresholds, understanding these variances is crucial for safe navigation. This comparison will equip travelers with essential insights to drive responsibly in both nations.
Lanes
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Ghana |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
ghana:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay