INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE

Road Safety

At an October 2000 Congressional hearing on "Safety in Study Abroad", it was seated that the major cause of student injury or death in overseas programs is traffic accidents. According to the U.S. State Department, road travel is the greatest risk to healthy Americans Abroad.

Pedestrian Safety Checklist

• Be aware of local traffic patterns. Understand local road culture.
• Be alert at intersections in countries where traffic pattern differs from yours.
• Be alert of reckless driver behaviors (e.g. speeding, inattention to driving, disregard for pedestrians, signs, and signals)
• Many countries have narrow, winding streets where visibility of pedestrians is compromised
• At night, wear or carry something reflective or carry a light, so that motorists' attention will be attracted to you.
• At night, cross where the lights are bright and visibility is good.
• Avoid walking where you cannot be easily seen.
• Remember that the CURB DRILL (look right, look left, right again) must be reversed in countries where the traffic pattern is reversed.
• Walk on the sidewalk where there is one. Where there is none, walk on the road bank or on the right side of the road in single file, facing the oncoming traffic.
• Be just as alert and careful when crossing in groups as when alone, and do not depend on others to watch out for you.
• Always look very carefully when crossing the road from behind or in front of stationary vehicles.
• Use provisions for crossing (e.g., police officer, pedestrian crossing, traffic light).
• Look and listen for warning signals of motor vehicles especially when crossing at a bend. If possible, don't cross where there is a bend in the road.
• Cross where there is a clear view in both directions, when it can be done safely.
• Be alert for train crossing that might not be marked or obvious.
• Do not adopt the attitude that because you have the right of way in the pedestrian crossing that you are automatically safe to cross. In many countries, drivers ignore stop signs, signal lights, and pedestrian right-of-way.
• Jaywalking may result in severe fines in various countries.
• Get into or out of a vehicle on the side nearest the sidewalk or edge of the road. If you use the door on the street side, wait for a break in traffic to exit the vehicle.
• Remember most road fatalities are pedestrians

Personal Safety of Pedestrians

• Avoid crowds when you have to slow down. Every time you slow down while walking in a street, you become an easier target.
• Be suspicious if somebody slows you down (e.g., falls in front of you, clothing gets stuck on something). It may be a pretext to facilitate an accomplice who is behind you.
• Be aware of who is behind you. If the same person is behind you for a few minutes, be suspicious.
• A decoy wallet may help distract the thief. The thief will target your very visible wallet, while your money is somewhere else (e.g., in another pocket).
• Avoid walking with big luggage. The bigger the luggage, the more visible you are and the harder it is for you to defend yourself. Backpacks can be easily opened even while you are walking.
• In most countries, it is inappropriate to approach strangers (especially women). Anybody who approaches you, no matter how friendly, should make you a little suspicious. Keep your guard up and be careful when talking to strangers. Americans tend to be more trusting and open than other people. Understand that this may be used to put you in an unsafe situation. Locals know that Americans are raised to be nice to people who are nice to them. Do not smile at people you do not know. A smile can be interpreted as "I am saying no but meaning yes".
• In most countries, women never respond to strangers. For a foreign woman it is not good to respond to men who approach her; the appropriate behavior is a cold silence and indifference.
• Walk fast all the time; every time you stop to browse, shop, write a postcard, or take a picture, you become an easy target.
• Dress modestly. Do not dress to call attention to yourself.
• Be suspicious of anyone who asks to see your money. Ask to be taken to the nearest police station before they search.
• Avoid hitchhiking.

Suggestions for Road Safety

• Be aware of traffic patterns and local road culture.
• Avoid overcrowded taxis.
• Be alert of reckless driving (e.g., speeding, inattention to driving, apparent drowsiness, disregard for signage and signals).
• If driver is irresponsible, get out at the first safe opportunity.
• If you feel at risk, speak up!
• 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 seatbelts in the back seat.
• Avoid night travel, especially in rural areas.

Suggestions for Physical Security

• If you are unsure of which taxi companies are acceptable, inquire at the airport information desk, hotel concierge desk, shopkeeper, restaurant personnel, or program staff. They might also be able to help with communication problems you may encounter. Have a local write your destination for the taxi driver to read.
• Plan ahead how to get home before you go out.
• Take a business card with the phone number of a reputable minicab or taxi company, and phone for the taxi when you need it.
• Do not travel alone. When possible, travel in groups.
• Calling for a taxi is the safest way to travel, especially at night.
• Try not to let anyone overhear you ordering a taxi. If they hear your name and destination, they may pretend to be the taxi you ordered.
• If you have ordered a taxi, wait for the driver to approach you. do not approach a car that you think is your taxi.
• Ask the driver the name and destination he has been given to check that he is your driver. Don't get into a taxi you haven't ordered.
• If you must hail a taxi, spot one from a well-known and reliable company. This requires some advanced knowledge of taxi companies in the area.
• Before getting into the taxi, make sure the driver agrees to take you to your destination.
• When you get into the taxi, note the company name, code number displayed, driver's name, ID, and photograph, if possible.
• Do not accept rides from drivers who randomly approach you.
• Sit in the back seat.

Information on Taxi Fares

• If the driver tries to bargain instead of using the meter or claims his meter is broken, get out of the taxi.
• Ask a trustworthy individual what the fare should be.
• The key to successful bargaining is to ask the driver what the fare is before getting into the taxi. Once you sit down, you are the taxi's next fare.

Bus and Minivan Safety Checklist

• Be aware of traffic patterns and local road culture.
• Wait for the bus in a safe place — away from the road.
• Whenever possible, avoid overcrowded buses and minivans.
• Be alert for reckless driving (e.g., speeding, inattention to driving, apparent drowsiness, disregard for signage and signals).
• Insist that the driver be responsible, or get off at the first possible safe opportunity.
• If you feel you are at risk, speak up!
• After you get of the bus, take several steps out of the danger zone.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver before you pick it up.
• Stand several steps away from the road while waiting for the bus.
• After getting the driver's attention, cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus.
• Stay seated at all times.
• Avoid night travel, especially in rural areas.

From the association for Safe International Road Travel.