Driving Differences: Ghana vs. Vanuatu Explained
Discover the contrasting driving practices of Ghana and Vanuatu, two nations with unique road regulations. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, with Ghana allowing higher speeds and Vanuatu emphasizing lower thresholds. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not advised. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Overtaking: On Right
ghana:
Generally not advised.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
ghana:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ghana:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ghana:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ghana:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ghana:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ghana:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ghana:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ghana:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ghana:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ghana | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English | English; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
ghana:
English
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ghana:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
ghana:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ghana:
Prohibited unless indicated
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Insurance
ghana:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ghana:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ghana:
Displayed on vehicle
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ghana:
Frequent use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ghana:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Yes, used occasionally | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
ghana:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ghana:
0.05%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ghana:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
ghana:
Yes, used occasionally
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
ghana:
Substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
ghana:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 18555 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ghana:
191
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ghana:
18555
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ghana:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ghana:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ghana | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Moderate fines | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for holding and using a phone | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; moderate to substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ghana:
Moderate fines
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ghana:
Fines apply for holding and using a phone
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ghana:
Varies; moderate to substantial fines
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ghana:
Common
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations