Driving in Ghana vs. Malaysia: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Ghana and Malaysia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experiences. From lane usage and speed limits to emergency protocols, the contrasts are noteworthy. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each nation.
Lanes
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| 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 'BAS' or 'BUS'; 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
ghana:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Malay and English; 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
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations