Driving in Accra is manageable once you accept that traffic here is less about lane discipline and more about reading other road users: leave generous space, expect trotros to stop without warning, watch for motorbikes and pedestrians at the edges of your vision, and avoid peak hours until you are confident. The roads are busy, junctions are often improvised, and rules that look clear in the Highway Code get stretched in practice. What follows is practical advice for people who have just passed their test, or who are moving to the city from elsewhere.
Know who you are sharing the road with
Trotros, the minibuses that serve fixed routes, set the rhythm on many roads. They stop at designated points but also drop and collect passengers wherever a hand goes up, so a trotro ahead of you may brake hard or pull out without signalling. Shared and private taxis behave similarly. Commercial motorcycles weave between lanes, and pedestrians cross wherever there is a gap, sometimes carrying loads on their heads. Hawkers work the queues at junctions. None of this is a reason to panic, but all of it is a reason to keep your speed and following distance conservative.
Roads and junctions that catch newcomers out
Large interchanges such as Tetteh Quarshie and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange at Circle combine heavy flows, merging lanes and pedestrians in a small space. The big arteries, including the N1 (George Walker Bush Highway), Ring Road, Independence Avenue, the Tema Motorway and Spintex Road, can slow to a crawl at rush hour. The same goes for the Winneba Road corridor towards Kasoa. On side streets, the hazards change: speed ramps, open drains, uneven edges and parked cars narrowing the carriageway. Use a navigation app, but also trust what you see ahead of you.
| Situation | A sensible approach |
|---|---|
| Trotro stopped ahead | Slow early, check mirrors, pass only when you can see clearly |
| Motorbike alongside | Hold your line, check mirrors and the blind spot before moving across |
| Busy interchange | Choose your lane well before the junction and avoid late lane changes |
| Pedestrians stepping out | Cover the brake near markets, bus stops and schools |
| Traffic officer signalling | Follow the officer, not the lights, and do not argue |
| Dead traffic lights | Treat the junction as uncontrolled and go slowly |
Habits that keep you out of trouble
- Space first. A bigger gap in front gives you time when someone ahead stops suddenly.
- Signal clearly and early, even when others do not. It sets a better example and gives traffic behind you a chance to react.
- Do not use your phone. The 2026 regulations set a penalty of up to 50 penalty units, up to three months in prison, or both, for using a mobile phone while driving.
- Wear your seat belt, every seat, every trip. Failing to do so is also an offence under the new rules.
- Stay calm with horns. A short tap to say "I'm here" is normal; leaning on it does not shift the queue.
- Keep your documents in the car: licence, vehicle registration, roadworthiness certificate and insurance.
The fines and offences are summarised in our guide to road rules and penalties.
Parking and stopping
Parking against a sign, double parking and parking too close to a junction are offences under the 2026 regulations, with fines of 10 to 25 penalty units according to September 2026 press summaries. Parking in a bay reserved for disabled people can bring a much longer prison term. The new rules also expect vehicle owners to have a towing subscription or insurance that includes towing. Choose a legal space even if it means walking a bit further.
Picking your hours
If you can choose, learn the city on weekend mornings and mid-morning weekdays, when roads are lighter. Build up to rush hour with a more experienced passenger beside you. Night driving brings its own risks: some roads are poorly lit, pedestrians are harder to see, and not every vehicle has working lights. Slow down more than you think you need to.
Building confidence step by step
- Start on quiet residential roads and practise parking and reversing.
- Move to a mid-size road with moderate traffic and a few junctions.
- Add one rush-hour trip a week, with a calm passenger and a short route.
- Try one of the major arteries outside peak hours, then at busier times.
- Keep a log of what felt difficult and practise that specific thing.
If your confidence still lags after you are licensed, a few extra lessons with an instructor are cheap compared with a crash. See our page on choosing a driving school for what to look for, and our rainy-season guide for wet-weather driving.
If something goes wrong
After a crash, stop as soon as it is safe, switch on your hazard lights and check whether anyone is hurt. Call 112, the national emergency number, if there are injuries or the road is blocked in a dangerous way. Do not get drawn into an argument at the roadside. Note the other vehicle's registration, the driver's name and insurer, and take photos of the scene before the cars are moved. Report the crash to the police and tell your insurer promptly, since claims usually depend on both. The Highway Code you received at the learner stage is the place to check your duties after a collision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe for a new driver to drive in Accra?
Yes, with sensible preparation. Avoid peak hours at first, keep extra space, and build up from quiet roads to the busiest ones.
What time of day is traffic worst?
Morning and evening rush hours, particularly on major arteries and interchanges. Weekend mornings and mid-morning on weekdays are usually easier.
Do I have to give way to trotros?
The Highway Code rules apply to everyone, but in practice trotros often stop and pull out suddenly, so anticipate them rather than relying on right of way.
What should I do if a traffic officer stops me?
Pull over safely, stay polite, and present your licence, vehicle registration, roadworthiness certificate and insurance if asked. Pay any fine only through official channels.
Can I use my phone for navigation?
Set the route before you start and mount the phone out of your hands. Handling a phone while driving is an offence under the 2026 regulations.