Driving Differences: Ghana vs. Tonga Explained
When traversing the roads of Ghana and Tonga, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their travel experience. From lane usage—where Ghana drives on the right and Tonga on the left—to varying speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore how each country navigates its unique road rules.
Lanes
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ghana:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English and Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ghana:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
ghana:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | Contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred