While driving on the road in your own country can be dangerous, trying to make your way through the road system of other countries can add another layer of danger to your trips. Because you haven’t been on these roads for years like you have in your own country, there are likely things about these systems that you don’t understand or aren’t familiar with. Because of this, it can make road travel very hard for you when you’re there. So to help ensure you’re being as safe as you possibly can, here are three road safety tips to follow while traveling in a different country.Three recommendations for going on a road trip on a foreign country.Take a look at my top travel advice or tips for safety.
Licensed To Drive
Although you may have a driver’s license in your own country, that license likely isn’t going to be valid when you’re wanting to drive in a different country. According to the U.S. State Department, you should check with the embassy before you leave to see what you’ll need to do in order to be a licensed driver in the country you’ll be visiting. This may mean getting an International Driving Permit, which can take time to acquire and may not even be valid the entire time you’re in that country. So before you rent a car and plan to drive from place to place, make sure you look into what it will take to do this.
Understand The Risks
There are always going to be risks when you do something. And while there are risks driving on the roads in your home country, the risks of driving increase when you’re in a different country, especially if it’s a developing country. According to the CDC, driving in a different country is a big danger to foreigners because they may be used to certain rules of the road or standards of driving. When those aren’t the same, travelers often don’t realize they’re putting themselves in danger when doing risky things. This could mean that when you get into an accident in a foreign country, there may not be the same safety standards in place, and getting emergency responders to you may take longer than you expect. By knowing these things beforehand, you can better take precautions on your travels.
Protect Yourself On and Off The Road
Not only do you need to be careful when you’re on the road—like by avoiding nighttime travel or being on dangerous roads—but John Miller, a contributor to HealthyTravelBlog.com, shares that you also need to be careful as a pedestrian. In many countries, pedestrians don’t ever have the right of way. So to be on the safe side, try to watch how the locals cross the stress so you can know when it’s safe to do so.
If you plan to drive around a new country while on your travels, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do so safely.
