Driving in Ghana vs. Madagascar: Key Differences Explained
The driving landscapes of Ghana and Madagascar present unique challenges and practices that every traveler should understand. From lane regulations and speed limits to road etiquette and emergency contacts, each nation has distinct rules. This comparison highlights crucial safety measures and driving customs, ensuring a smoother journey for adventurers in either country.
Lanes
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
ghana:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ghana:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
ghana:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
ghana:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
ghana:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ghana:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Indication may vary |
| 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
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ghana:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
ghana:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
ghana:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority