Global Road Safety Tips Download printable version

Travel Safe, Travel Smart

Choose the safest form of transportation in each country. Before traveling, contact ASIRT for country specific road safety information. (301) 983-5252, FAX (301) 983-3663
www.asirt.org   email: asirt@asirt.org

Avoid night road travel in countries with poor safety records and/or mountainous terrain.
Obtain name of competent physician and medical facility.
Understand local "road culture."
Learn about seasonal hazards & local holidays when road accident rates rise
Keep a mobile phone with you for emergencies.

Walk Safe
Be aware of traffic patterns.
Be alert to reckless driver behaviors.
Wear reflective clothing at night, bright clothing by day.
Avoid walking where you cannot be easily seen.
Be alert at intersections in countries where traffic pattern differs from yours.
Remember, most road fatalities are pedestrians.

Ride Safe
Avoid overcrowded, overweight and top-heavy buses, minivans and taxis.
Be alert for reckless driving.
Insist that driver be responsible or passenger should disembark at first safe opportunity.
Avoid riding with drivers who seem to be under influence of alcohol or medication, or appear over-tired, irrational or distracted.
Ride only in taxis with functional seat-belts in back seat.
Report reckless driving to bus or taxi company, U.S. embassy and ASIRT.
In many countries it is generally safer to hire a highly responsible, well-trained, professional driver than to drive a rental car.
Move driver and front passenger seats back as far as possible.
Avoid hitchhiking.

Drive Safe
Rent vehicles equipped with safety features including seat belts, shoulder lap belts, daytime running lights, air bags, child restraints.
Check tires (tread and pressure), headlights, wipers, brakes.
Learn about local highway hazards, customs, driving conditions, right-of-way conventions, animals on road, mountainous roads with blind curves, etc.
Familiarize yourself with controls on car rental before driving.
Do not drive after consuming alcohol or medicine influencing alertness or judgment.
Avoid motorcycle, scooter and moped travel. If unavoidable, insist on a regulation helmet or bring your own.
When inexperienced with driving on opposite side of the road, obtain supervised driver training and affix an unobtrusive visual reminder.
Do not use cell phone while driving.

Speak Up for Safety in Several Languages

Email ASIRT to request wallet sized cards with safety language and transliteration in Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish

Pedestrian and Passenger Safety

Taxi & Bus Passenger Safety Checklist
Pedestrian Safety Checklist

• Carry prescription medications in original containers. Take along written prescriptions, including generic name.
• If you have serious medical or allergy problems, consult your physician before traveling. Wear a medical alert tag. Tags for common conditions are available in many drug stores. Medic Alert International Foundation (tel. 800/825-3785; www.medicalert.org) provides tags and 24-hour hotline access to records and numbers of doctors for members.
• Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for emergency medical air evacuation, is useful.
• Uninsured travelers may face difficulties overseas in a medical emergency.
• US Medical Insurance is not always valid outside the U.S. Check with your agent.
• Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for medical services outside the United States.
• International Student ID Cards (ISIC). Full-time students are eligible. For American students, card provides $3000 in emergency medical care and $100 per day for up to 60 days in a hospital. Card includes a 24-hour hotline for medical, legal, or financial emergencies and lower fares on public transportation and some attractions.
• ISIC cards can be obtained from:    Council Travel: 205 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10017. TEL: 800-743-1823.•STA: 48 East 11th St., New York, NY 10003. TEL: 800-777-0112.
  (Disclaimer: ASIRT provides this information as a service to U.S. citizens, but neither ASIRT nor the State Department can specifically recommend any medical assistance firm or guarantee the quality of services of any private corporation.)
  
• The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) publishes a directory of English-speaking physicians who meet IAMAT standards and agree to treat members for a set fee. • IAMAT, U.S.A., 417 Center Street, Lewiston, NY 140092. TEL: 716-754-4883

International Driving Permits (IDP)

• An IDP is a legal identification document that translates driving license information into eleven languages including English.
• You must be 18 to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Contact AAA. (Phone: 1-800-222-4357; web: http://www.aaa.com).
• Requirements: a valid driver's license, two passport-sized photographs and a $10.00 fee. AAA's web address is http://www.aaa.com.

• Bright-colored cars are two to four times more visible than dark cars. Especially important when driving in heavy fog, rain, or snow. Black cars are involved in 20% of all collisions, although they make up 5% of the total vehicles.
• Care of tires:
  • Inspect for damage or excessive wear. Insert a Lincoln penny head down into the tread. If any of the head shows, the tread is too thin.
  • If treadwear indicators are visible anywhere in the tread, the tires need to be replaced.
  • Be sure tires have valve caps.
  • Check the air pressure after parked for 3 hours or more. (Check owner's manual for recommended pressure and vehicle load.)
  • Do not run tires over- or under-inflated. Under-inflated tires heat up faster, wear down more quickly, and increase the risk of a blowout. Over-inflated tires reduce traction and make steering more difficult.
  • Do not overload the vehicle. (If towing another vehicle, some of the weight of that vehicle transfers to your vehicle.)

World Wide Travel Caution

Issued: October 10, 2002

This Worldwide Caution Public Announcement supersedes the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement dated September 9, 2002. In light of the recent audio tape attributed to Osama bin Laden and other reports of threats to American interests, this Worldwide Caution is being issued to alert Americans to the need to remain vigilant and to remind them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions that may target civilians. This Worldwide Caution expires on April 8, 2003.

The U.S. Government continues to receive credible indications that extremist groups and individuals are planning additional terrorist actions against U.S. interests. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations. Because security and security awareness have been elevated within the U.S, the terrorists may target U.S. interests overseas. We remind American citizens to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.

Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Attacks on places of worship and schools, and the murders of private American citizens, demonstrate that as security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers will seek softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans are generally known to congregate or visit, such as clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events. Americans should increase their security awareness when they are at such locations, avoid them, or switch to other locations where Americans in large numbers generally do not congregate. American citizens may be targeted for kidnapping or assassination.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy. In those instances, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens. Americans are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to Americans overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html  In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers can hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated fax by dialing 202-647-3000.