Driving Differences: Ghana vs. Switzerland Explained
Discover the striking contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Ghana and Switzerland. From unique lane markings to varying speed limits and alcohol thresholds, this comparison highlights essential safety considerations for travelers. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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: 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
ghana:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay