Highway Crashes Abroad

Did you know that highway crashes are one of the leading travel safety issues for travelers abroad? In fact chances are you are probably more likely to become involved in a traffic accident than being a victim of a crime in a foreign country.

No matter where you travel around the world traffic in most large cities is bad. Usually, the larger the city, the worse the traffic. With more traffic comes more drivers, more drivers equals more chances for you to get into accidents with other drivers.

Whether you rent a car or use public transportation there is still the risk of getting into an accident.

Travel statistics indicate that tourists have the same chances of getting into an accident abroad than they do in their home country. However, some countries have more traffic laws, better enforcement, and more drivers’s training than others.

For example, here in Ecuador there is little traffic enforcement by the police. Therefore, drivers mostly do as the wish. Few of them stop at stop signs and many ignore traffic signals. Police officers often witness these violations but do little, if anything, to punish traffic law violators. Furthermore, most drivers here receive little to no training before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and hitting the streets.

Unfortunately, other countries have similar problems with these drivers. Therefore, the number of traffic accidents increases. Many travelers believe they will be safer using busses and taxi while abroad. This is an incorrect assumption because many of these drivers are very careless. In fact, often these drivers are causes of many accidents.

What do I recommend to travelers abroad to avoid highway crashes?

Use airlines and taxis if you are not familiar with the area and/or local traffic laws. Driving in an unfamiliar location increases your chances of getting into an accident. Get a friend who is a local or who has lived in the country for a while to drive you. They may be more familiar with local driving and will be less prone to accidents as you. Walk rather than drive. However, be sure that it’s safe to walk because you have to be careful in some dangerous places where you could be robbed or assaulted.

If you plan to drive, research local traffic laws first. See what is different about the laws in the country you intend to visit and your home country. Also, before hitting the streets on your own I suggest taking time to observe and analyze how locals drive. This way you can see some of the common things that local drivers do and you can avoid them.

What to do if you are involved in a highway crash abroad?

If you feel safe I recommend stopping and acknowledging to the other driver that you are both ok and don’t need immediate medical attention. If not, move to the side of the road (out of the flow of traffic). This will ensure that you are not struck by another vehicle or backup traffic. Next, contact the police so that can respond and make an official police report.

However, I warn travelers that some accident can actually be scams.Therefore, if you don’t feel safe of think that you may become a victim of a crime as the result of the accident, then fleeing the scene and going directly to a police station may be your best option. For example, let’s say you are driving in a foreign country and get into an accident with a local. You think it was an innocent mistake; however, the local town’s people are angry, come to the scene, and start violently shaking your car. This is when you should leave the area and seek safety. Remember, the rules could be different than they are in your country. So be sure to check with your embassy or consulate and see what they recommend doing if involved in a traffic accident.

Traffic accidents are another reason why I recommend travel insurance to foreigners going abroad. In the event that you are seriously injured in highway crashes, the insurance may help cover medical cost incurred.

This is also a good example of how auto safety kits can be helpful to travelers abroad. After an accident at night, road flares could help other drivers avoid you and possibly prevent other accidents.

Learn more about driving overseas.

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