Driving in Finland vs. Ghana: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Finland and Ghana, understanding their unique driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol policies, with Finland adopting stricter measures compared to Ghana. Familiarizing yourself with these variances can enhance your driving experience and ensure compliance with local norms abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed 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. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
ghana:
N/A
Signals
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Ghana |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
ghana:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
ghana:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ghana:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
ghana:
Substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Common |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
ghana:
Common