Driving in Ghana vs. Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Ghana and Jamaica, where road rules and regulations vary significantly. From driving sides and speed limits to unique traffic signals and overtaking practices, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring your safety abroad. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to navigate these diverse roadways with confidence.
Lanes
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
ghana:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ghana:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
ghana:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
ghana:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
ghana:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
ghana:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
ghana:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ghana:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
ghana:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
ghana:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ghana:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ghana:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ghana:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ghana:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
ghana:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ghana:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ghana:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ghana:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ghana:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ghana:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
ghana:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
ghana:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ghana:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
ghana:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| 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 | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ghana:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ghana:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines