Travel Safety Tips

Knowledge is the key to safe driving abroad. Many countries have transportation systems quite similar to ours, but certainly not all. Think of wandering camels crossing the roads of Qatar, and you'll get some idea of the challenges an American might face behind the wheel in a foreign country. Try not to be a fish out of water. Take some time to research your destinations and prepare yourself as best you can for the surprises heading your way.

Get Smart

• Contact embassies and consulates for specific information about road permits, licensing and insurance requirements, and the local rules of the road.

• Check with the State Department for the latest recommendations about traveling to a country, including detailed information about traffic safety and road conditions.

• Register your trip with the State Department so that friends and family can better reach you in the event of an emergency. It's a free service that few people think of using.

Prepare Yourself

• Get your International Driver Permit (IDP). Read our page on the permit and the application process.

• Investigate your insurance policies, both automobile and medical. Many countries require minimum levels of liability coverage, so do your homework. Same goes for your health insurance―call your provider to verify your status abroad.

• Pack a lightweight, emergency medical kit, with several pairs of latex gloves. In the event of an emergency, you'll want to be as safe as possible.

Some Universal Tips

• Gas up frequently. Service stations are never where you need them to be, and, in many countries, less prevalent than you might be used to in the States. Certain countries, like Zimbabwe, are especially prone to fuel shortages, so never drive your car to empty and hope for the best.

• Always buckle up. It's the law here, and it's the law in most developed countries.

• Limit cell phone usage, or eliminate it. Many countries have already outlawed cell phone use while driving. Take Iceland, where a ticket will cost you 5,000 Kronur.

• Never drink and drive. Many countries have more stringent laws than the U.S. In Finland, a blood alcohol level of 0.05 will prompt immediate arrest, while in some Islamic nations, any register of alcohol in your bloodstream is enough to warrant disciplinary action.

• Prepare yourself for the metric system. Across Europe and Canada, expect to see distance and speeds measured in kilometers rather than miles.

Above and beyond these road tips, remember to stay vigilant and use common sense. Threats to your personal safety are more common as a tourist, so avoid alleys, dark parking lots, suspicious cabs, and in areas prone to kidnapping and hostage-taking, change up your patterns frequently.

Some Common Challenges

• Petty theft. You might stand out like a sore thumb, so always keep personal belongings secure.

• Lack of formal training. Many drivers in less developed nations have never had formal driving training. Incidences of drunk driving, reckless driving, and driving vehicles ill suited for the road are more common in these countries.

• Prepare for local weather conditions. Whether it's a rainy season, a perpetual blizzard, or a blinding equatorial sun, many countries present specific challenges to an American driver used to traffic signals and six-lane highways.

Some Uncommon Challenges to Get You Thinking

• In Bolivia, many cars lack functioning headlights, so try to avoid driving at night.

• Watch out for kangaroos and any number of animal hazards when driving in Australia.

• Banditry is common in Cambodia. Stick to the tour buses.

• Avoid highways at night in Mexico. Accidents and fatalities from collision with commercial vehicles are a bigger threat.

• Poland posts road signs by "black spots," locations prone to traffic accidents.

• In Ireland, it's tough to rent a car that's not standard transmission.

In the Case of an Emergency

• For emergency assistance, always call the police or local authorities. Carry this number with you on an index card with other important contact information.

• Many countries have dedicated emergency numbers, similar to our 911 system. Check with the embassy, or the State Department with country-specific travel information}.

• If you're involved in an accident, call the traffic police, gendarme, or local authorities. Stay with your vehicle, but avoid altercations and try not to get into arguments about blame. As a tourist in a strange land, you're at a serious disadvantage, and you never know what local customs might come into play.

• Many countries post roadside call boxes along major thoroughfares. These are a great resource, because the authorities will know your location immediately. In the United Kingdom, emergency call boxes often appear every half-mile.

• To contact the State Department with consular emergencies, such as death, kidnapping and arrest of a U.S. citizen, call (888) 407-4747, or (202) 501-4444 if you're already overseas.

Additional Resources

• U.S. State Department on road safety overseas

• Country-specific travel information from the State Department

• Country-specific background notes from the State Department

• Web sites of U.S. embassies and consulates

• Travel registration through the State Department

• Overseas Security Advisory Council