Driving in the Dominican Republic vs Ghana: Key Differences
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of the Dominican Republic and Ghana, several striking contrasts emerge. Key variations in road regulations, speed limits, and traffic etiquette underscore the importance of understanding local practices for a safer travel experience. This comparison will equip travelers with essential insights for navigating these distinct environments effectively.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
ghana:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
ghana:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Ghana |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
ghana:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
ghana:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
ghana:
Substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay