last edited Aug 27, 2020
Tips for Road Travel
The Road and Its Dangers
No surprises here—of all modes of transport, driving is the most dangerous, and this holds true worldwide. The risk of dying in a car accident is 30 times higher than on a bus, 45 times higher than on a train, and 90 times higher than on a plane.
Of course, the dangers vary by country, and it’s in the "developing world" where the risk of an accident is always highest. Obvious reasons include limited road networks, often made up of unpaved tracks or poorly maintained roads, along with a mixed and run-down vehicle fleet that sometimes carries three or four times more passengers than intended.
By Mode of Transport
Among all vehicles on the road, minibuses (or similar) and shared taxis are the most dangerous, largely because their drivers often try to maximize profits—both in terms of trip duration and the number of passengers. To reduce risks, avoid nighttime journeys (which are deadlier), routes through dangerous areas (mountains, known bandit zones), or difficult seasons (winter, rainy periods). If possible, opt for a plane or train instead. Choose seats near exits or windows, and for your luggage, keep it with you if you can or make it easily accessible by wrapping it in a bag if it has to go on the roof.
If you use a taxi or private car service, don’t hesitate to ask the driver to adjust their driving—if needed, in their own language—to slow down or adapt to conditions. Pick your vehicle rather than letting it pick you, and always negotiate prices beforehand.
Finally, as you’d expect, road fatalities are 10 to 30 times higher in developing countries compared to France, 3 to 4 times higher in Eastern Europe, but half as high in Northern Europe, Japan, and the United States.
Reducing Risks
Which Side Do You Drive On?
The first—and obvious—thing to know before driving in a country is which side of the road to use. Right, left... or sometimes not clearly defined (in which case, follow the locals!).
| Driving on the left... | |
|---|---|
| Africa | South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda, St Helena, Seychelles, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. |
| Americas | Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands. |
| Asia | Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor. |
| Europe | Cyprus, Great Britain, Ireland, Malta. |
| Pacific | Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu. |
Road Conditions and Traffic
It’s also a good idea to get an idea of the road conditions, traffic, and risks you might encounter. A starting point is the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, which offers advice for every country in the world. While this site is thorough, take its warnings with a grain of salt—otherwise, you might never leave home, even by car.
Route and Navigation
Over to you: Plan your daily route or your entire journey well. And of course, know how to navigate—from reading road signs or a map to using GPS.
Route Planning
Navigation
Useful Documents and Papers
An international driving permit for everyone, and for those traveling with their own vehicle, the vehicle registration, insurance, and optionally a carnet de passage for customs.