Driving Safely Abroad

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury for the international traveler. The rate of motor vehicle fatalities can be very high in some developing countries. Traffic patterns, driver variability, poor road conditions, and vehicle condition may all contribute to differences in death and accident rates between countries.

In Guatemala, there are more than fifty deaths reported annually per 10,000 vehicles compared to less than three in the US and less than ten in most Western European countries. Other known high-risk countries include Peru (over 40 deaths per 10,000 vehicles), Mexico and Panama (over 25 deaths per 10,000 vehicles), and Venezuela (over 20 deaths per 10,000 vehicles). Data is not readily available for other potentially high-risk countries in Africa or Asia.

To reduce the risk, travelers who intend to drive in foreign countries should rent cars fully equipped with safety devices such as seat belts and airbags. Cars should be carefully inspected to assure that tires and brakes are in good condition and that all lights are in working order. Night time travel may be particularly hazardous and should be avoided if possible. Travelers should not drive after consuming alcoholic beverages and should instead rely on taxis or other forms of public transportation.

Stephen Hargarten, MD, Professor and Chairman of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, conducted a survey in 1990 of safety devices available in rental cars within foreign countries. He found that while most rental cars had front seat belts, there were fewer with rear seat belts and less than 10% were equipped with airbags. Infant and child car seats were readily available in Western Europe but were available through less than 20% of rental agencies in lesser developed countries. These deficiencies could be minimized if international car rental agencies would adopt uniform automobile safety standards.

I would recommend that you or your travel agent contact several car rental agencies prior to departure to inquire specifically about the safety features available on their cars. While cars offering safety equipment may be more expensive to rent, they are well worth the cost if lives can be saved. If child safety seats are not offered, you should plan on bringing one along yourself.

Gary P. Barnas, MD
Associate Professor
General Internal Medicine

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.