Driving Differences: Ghana vs. Panama Safety Insights
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safety and compliance. This comparison between Ghana and Panama reveals significant contrasts, from speed limits and lane usage to documentation requirements and traffic signals. Whether you're navigating urban streets or rural roads, being informed can enhance your driving experience and ensure peace of mind.
Lanes
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Spanish; 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
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ghana:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations