Driving in Canada vs. Ghana: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving regulations in Canada and Ghana. From lane markings to speed limits, the two nations exhibit distinct approaches to road safety. Discover how bus lanes and alcohol limits diverge, ensuring a safer journey whether you’re navigating urban streets or rural highways.
Lanes
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green paint. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
canada:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
ghana:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 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 | Yes, but varies by province | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
canada:
40-50 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
100-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | Not used in Ghana |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
canada:
Not used in Canada
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
canada:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
ghana:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
canada:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
ghana:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
canada:
911
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Canada | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; often upwards of $200 | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
ghana:
Common