Driving in Ghana vs Senegal: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Ghana and Senegal as we delve into their contrasting traffic regulations and road norms. Notable distinctions include speed limits, alcohol tolerance levels, and the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
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 |
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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
senegal:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
senegal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
senegal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 110 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
senegal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
senegal:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Signals
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Senegal |
Traffic Signs: Language | English | French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
senegal:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not commonly allowed |
U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory
senegal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
Pedestrians Priority
ghana:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Alcohol
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
senegal:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 18 or 17 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 17 |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
senegal:
18 or 17
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
senegal:
17
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ghana:
Not mandatory, but recommended
senegal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Ghana | Senegal | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | 10,000 CFA |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Varies; significant fines |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; often required immediately |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
senegal:
10,000 CFA
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days