Ghana vs Kenya: Key Driving Differences Explained
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Ghana and Kenya reveals significant contrasts that every traveler should know. From varying overtaking practices and speed limits to distinct protocols for emergency vehicles, understanding these driving distinctions ensures a safer journey abroad. Navigate the roads with confidence by familiarizing yourself with these essential differences.
Lanes
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
kenya:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Signals
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ghana:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems