Driving Safety: France vs. Ghana – Key Differences
When navigating the roads of France and Ghana, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their journeys. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience while abroad in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Generally not advised. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
ghana:
Generally not advised.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
ghana:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
ghana:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
ghana:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
ghana:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
ghana:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
ghana:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ghana:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
ghana:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
ghana:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
ghana:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
ghana:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
ghana:
Yes
Signals
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Ghana |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
ghana:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
ghana:
English
Turns
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
Documentation
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
ghana:
Mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
ghana:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
ghana:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Yes, used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
ghana:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
ghana:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
ghana:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 18555 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
ghana:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
ghana:
18555
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Ghana | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Moderate fines |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply for holding and using a phone |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Varies; moderate to substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
ghana:
Moderate fines
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
ghana:
Common
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay