Road Safety Overseas


Road Safety
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.2 million people worldwide are killed every year due to road accidents, and as many as 50 million are injured or disabled.  The majority of these deaths, approximately 85 percent, occur in low to middle-income countries.  It is estimated that more than 300 U.S. citizens die each year due to road accidents abroad and thousands more are injured. The majority of road crash victims (injuries and fatalities) in developing countries are not the motor vehicle occupants, but pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and non-motor vehicle (NMV) occupants.
U.S. citizens are urged to carefully review the Road Safety section of the Department of State's Country Specific Information, which is available for every country in the world. The Road Safety section is intended to provide U.S. citizens with an overview of road conditions in a particular country.  Travelers may also want to review the Department of State’s Background Notes for any country in which they intend to drive or travel by road as a passenger.  Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the countries where you will visit to learn about local requirements for driver's licenses, road permits, and auto insurance. It is important to understand the rules and laws of the road in other countries, as they can differ significantly from those in the United States.  These can be as simple as whether you can turn right on a red light, to whether you are allowed to use a cell phone in the car.  They may also be more serious.  Many countries have “no tolerance” policies concerning driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol; criminal penalties can be severe.  International road safety continues to be a matter of growing concern to governments, international organizations, non-government organizations, and private citizens.

The first United Nations Global Road Safety Week was held April 23 – 29, 2007 with the goal of raising awareness about the impact of road traffic issues.  Member nations organized and hosted hundreds of public awareness activities around the world to underscore the preventable nature of road traffic crashes and to educate the public on the impact road crashes have on global health.  The U.S. Government is continually working with its bilateral and multilateral partners, governments, industry groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide to raise awareness about global road safety.
In 2009, the United Nations is planning to hold its first-ever high-level global summit on Road Safety, to be held in the Russian Federation.

For more information on Road Safety visit:

Road Security
The U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council's publications provide information about personal security and safety while traveling abroad.

Potential victims of kidnapping and assault are probably most vulnerable when entering or leaving their homes or offices.   Here are some quick safety tips to think about before your next trip:

  • Always be aware of your surroundings and be alert for possible surveillance upon leaving or returning to your vehicle, home, or office.
  • Never enter a car without checking the rear seat to ensure that it is empty.
  • Do not develop predictable patterns.
  • If possible, exchange company cars or swap with coworkers occasionally.
  • Know the location of police, hospital, military, and government buildings should you need immediate assistance.
  • Avoid trips to remote areas, particularly after dark.
  • Select well-traveled streets as much as possible.
  • Keep vehicles well-maintained at all times to avoid breakdowns.
  • When driving, remember to keep automobile doors locked and windows rolled up (if possible).
  • Be constantly alert to road conditions and surroundings.
  • Never pick up hitchhikers.
  • Carry a 3 x 5 card printed with important phrases in the local language.
  • Report all suspicious activity to the company or embassy security contact, if applicable. 

Information for Students
The Department of State is engaged in outreach efforts with educational organizations to publicize road safety risks in other countries.  Students, who may choose less expensive, often less reliable methods of local transportation while in foreign countries, should be aware of the potential dangers.  Please see the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Student’s Abroad web site, as well as the Country Specific Information for the country or countries you are visiting.  Students traveling abroad should also be aware of the dangers of reckless behavior, including careless driving and driving under the influence.  It should also be noted that penalties for persons judged responsible for automobile accidents resulting in injury or fatalities may be treated very seriously by foreign authorities and result in extremely stiff prison sentences.  See the Center for Global Education for more information.

International Driving Permits
Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries accept an International Driving Permit (IDP).  IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States.  (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries).  An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages.  These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid U.S. license.  IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence. Before departure, you can obtain an IDP from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.  Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to empower certain organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver’s licenses.  The Department designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance as the only authorized distributors of IDPs.

Many foreign countries require the deposit of a customs duty or an equivalent bond for each tourist automobile entering their territory, and the motoring associations are equipped with the necessary facilities to expeditiously provide a standard bond document (Article 3 of the Convention).  The Convention is not applicable to United States motorists using their cars in the United States.

How to Apply for an International Driving Permit:
Before departure, you can obtain an IDP at a local office of one of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club).

To apply for an IDP, you must be at least age 18, and you will need to present two passport-size photographs and your valid U.S. license. The cost of an IDP from these U.S. State Department-authorized organizations is less than $20.00.

International Driving Permits Issued by Unauthorized Persons:
The U.S. Department of State is aware that IDPs are sold over the Internet and in-person by individuals not authorized by the U.S. Department of State pursuant to the requirements of the U.N. Convention on Road Traffic of 1949. Moreover, many of these IDPs are sold for large sums of money, far greater than the sum charged by entities authorized by the Department of State. Consumers experiencing problems should report them to their local office of the U.S. Postal Inspector, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Better Business Bureau, or their state or local Attorney General’s Office.

Auto Insurance
Car rental companies overseas usually provide auto insurance, but in some countries, the required coverage is minimal.  When renting a car overseas, consider purchasing additional insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to that which you carry at home.  In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad; however, your policy may apply when you drive to countries neighboring the United States.  Check with your insurer prior to traveling to see if your policy covers you in Canada, Mexico, or countries south of Mexico.  Even if your policy is valid, it may not meet that country’s minimum requirement.  If you are under-insured for a particular country, auto insurance can usually be purchased separately on either side of the border.

Driving Abroad Safely and Securely
The U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides information for American families and business travelers about driving overseas.

Tips on Driving Abroad:

  • Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • Carry both your IDP and your U.S. state driver's license with you at all times, as many countries have different driving rules.  If possible, obtain a copy of the foreign country’s driving laws before you begin driving in that country.  Information may be available from the foreign country’s embassy in the United States, foreign government tourism offices, or from a car rental company in the foreign country.
  • Check to see if the country of destination has a minimum and maximum driving age.
  • Be aware that certain countries require special road permits, instead of tolls, to use their divided highways, and they will fine those found driving without a permit.
  • Always "buckle up."  Some countries have penalties for people who violate this law.
  • Many countries require you to honk your horn before going around a sharp corner or to flash your lights before passing.
  • If you rent a car, make sure you have liability insurance.  If you do not, this could lead to financial hardship.
  • If the drivers in the country you are visiting drive on the left side of the road, it may be prudent to practice driving in a less populated area before attempting to drive in heavy traffic.
  • Always know the route you will be traveling.  Have a good road map, and chart your course before beginning.
  • Do not pick up hitchhikers or strangers.
  • When entering or exiting your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.

Treaties on Roads and Transport

The United States is a party to two multilateral treaties regarding roads and transport:

The United States is not a party to: Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Traffic Accidents, (1971), now in force in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland, the U.N. Convention on Road Traffic, (1968) , or, the Agreement on the Adoption of the Inter-American Manual on Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, (1979).

Reporting and Resources on International Road Safety

U.S. Government Links

Road Safety Statistics / Databases / Resources