Driving in Ghana vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations between Ghana and Portugal, distinct contrasts emerge. Ghana allows right turns on red and has higher speed limits in urban areas, while Portugal mandates stricter speed restrictions and prohibits overtaking on the right. Understanding these vital distinctions can significantly impact your travel experience and ensure safety on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
portugal:
Possible