Driving in Ghana vs. Pakistan: Key Safety Differences
Discover the contrasting road regulations and practices between Ghana and Pakistan, two nations with unique driving landscapes. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights significant distinctions that are vital for ensuring safe travel. Equip yourself with essential knowledge before hitting the road abroad.
Lanes
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Overtaking: On Left
ghana:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ghana:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
ghana:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
ghana:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay