Driving Differences: Chile vs Ghana for Safer Travels
When exploring the roads of Chile and Ghana, drivers will encounter notable distinctions that impact their travel experiences. From varying speed limits and lane regulations to unique signaling practices, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances can significantly enhance your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Ghana |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
ghana:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay