Driving Differences: Ghana vs. Mexico Explained
When navigating the roads of Ghana and Mexico, distinct driving norms emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. Key contrasts include the presence of bus and cycle lanes in Mexico, alongside varying speed limits and penalties for traffic violations. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both nations.
Lanes
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
mexico:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
mexico:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments