Driving in Ghana vs. United Kingdom: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Ghana and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their experiences. Key differences include driving on the right in Ghana versus the left in the UK, as well as varying speed limits and road signage. Understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
ghana:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
ghana:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ghana:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
ghana:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ghana:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
ghana:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ghana:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ghana:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
ghana:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ghana:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ghana:
Not used in Ghana
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ghana:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
ghana:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
ghana:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ghana:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
ghana:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
ghana:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ghana:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay