Driving Differences: Brazil vs. Ghana for Safe Travel
When exploring the varied realms of road travel, understanding the distinctions between Brazil and Ghana is vital for ensuring a safe journey. From lane regulations and speed limits to traffic signals and documentation requirements, this comparison reveals intriguing contrasts that can significantly impact your driving experience abroad. Equip yourself with essential knowledge for your next adventure!
Lanes
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
ghana:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Signals
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Ghana |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
ghana:
Substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay