Driving in Ghana vs. Hungary: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the driving landscapes of Ghana and Hungary, distinct contrasts emerge that are vital for ensuring safety on the roads. From lane regulations and speed limits to alcohol enforcement, each country exhibits unique practices. Understanding these variations is crucial for travelers seeking to navigate these diverse environments responsibly.
Lanes
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
ghana:
List length: 5
hungary:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
hungary:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
hungary:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Limited use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
ghana:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days