Driving in Ghana vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Ghana and Russia presents unique challenges and regulations that are crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. Key distinctions include speed limits, road markings, and lane usage, with Ghana emphasizing moderate speeds and prohibitions on overtaking, while Russia allows more flexibility and features dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these variances is essential for a secure travel experience.
Lanes
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay