Driving in Ghana vs Ireland: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Ghana and Ireland. From lane usage to speed limits, key distinctions emerge, such as driving on the right in Ghana versus the left in Ireland. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe journey while navigating foreign roads.
Lanes
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
ireland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ghana:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ghana:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot