Driving in Ghana vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Ghana and the Netherlands. This comparison reveals notable variations in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad, allowing travelers to navigate roads with confidence in both countries.
Lanes
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-130 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Dutch; 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
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required