Driving in Ghana vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, Ghana and Norway present contrasting approaches that impact safety and driving practices. From lane markings to speed limits, these two countries exhibit notable variations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience while abroad, whether you're traveling through Ghana's bustling streets or Norway's scenic highways.
Lanes
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
norway:
Yes, typically required