Driving Differences: Costa Rica vs. Ghana Explained
Costa Rica and Ghana present unique driving environments, each with distinct regulations and customs that influence road safety. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance for drivers. Understanding these variances can enhance your travel experience and help ensure a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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 | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
ghana:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Ghana |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Prohibited unless indicated |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
ghana:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
ghana:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
ghana:
Common