Why are so many people scared of driving while abroad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you driven in the DMV?
All these threads about VA vs. MD. They are all terrible because they all learned to drive somewhere else and there is no predictability and no norms. That's way people aren't keen to ALSO tempt fate by driving abroad.

I'm with you on this - recently traveled in the Midwest, France, Iceland and Norway. Not a full world experience I know but a small sampling of "locations" - but I have to say the minute I hit the Maryland state line was when I got anxious driving. The other places I have driven at least there is common courtesy at play. Here in the DMV people do all kinds of things that are unexpected and against driving norms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t want to deal with liability if something goes wrong overseas like a car accident. I prefer relying on a private driver who knows where he is going and is familiar with the routes.

Always think of this. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anne-sacoolas-ch...ar-crash-2019-12-20/

Also, some places may have much harsher punishment

[Anonymous]

I don't even like to rent cars in the US. I hate being responsible for a car that is unfamiliar to me and having to think about parking and all that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm scared someone will hit the rental car and we'll have to deal with the bureaucracy of that.

In France there are weird rules like giving way to someone coming from a minor road to the right. Drivers are also more aggressive with lane changes and roundabouts. Even though it's illegal, motor cyclists zoom up the white lines between cars unexpectedly.

You should get the LDW. Then it's all a drop the keys and walk away.

[Anonymous]

I don’t mind driving abroad and have in many places. However, I also do like having a driver so that I can actually see and appreciate the scenery rather than focusing on the road. I strangely enjoy driving in Ireland but if I’m paying close attention to not go off a cliff, I’m not looking at the amazing view.

[Anonymous]

Lame brag post.

Vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of death for Americans abroad.
https://time.com/4250811/travel-safety/

You may be a great driver, but don’t assume others are.

Standards of emergency care and availability of trauma centers can also differ from US, even in countries with advanced tech. Road rules may also be ignored, again even in countries with good police and legal systems. Or you may not understand local rules. Road lighting, street markings, and signs can be different and it only takes one mistake to end up in a major accident.

People who treat driving as a low risk activity are foolish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lame brag post.

Vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of death for Americans abroad.
https://time.com/4250811/travel-safety/

You may be a great driver, but don’t assume others are.

Standards of emergency care and availability of trauma centers can also differ from US, even in countries with advanced tech. Road rules may also be ignored, again even in countries with good police and legal systems. Or you may not understand local rules. Road lighting, street markings, and signs can be different and it only takes one mistake to end up in a major accident.

People who treat driving as a low risk activity are foolish.

This says heart attacks are #1.

https://dan.org/health-medicine/travelers-med...%20years%20of%20age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In some countries people are crazy drivers. It’s also not that easy to get used to driving on the other side of the road. It just adds stress when you’re trying to enjoy the vacation.

+1

[Anonymous]

No idea. We've never been "scared" or had any issues driving in any country/city all over the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've driven on multiple continents and numerous countries over the years with car rentals. Yes, we've even had breakdowns before which requires having to navigate a car mechanic with locals, no big deal, we survived. But overall, we've seen soooooooo much more of the countries that we've been too by being able to stop in smaller towns, smaller sites, and random local spots where trains and busses simply never would go to or would take horrendous amounts of time that makes mass transport less viable in harder to get to areas. If you speak to many travelers, they have some kind irrational fear of driving while abroad, why is this? Who gives a crap about language barriers? Modern GPS works basically everywhere. Left side, right side, it doesn't matter, you get used to it in about 5 minutes. We have basically never, ever had a problem and would recommend international driving to everyone in order to see much more of countries you're traveling to besides big cities.

You never knew that people were anxious, nervous nellies?

I mean, the USA has an entire political party driven by fear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG start with driving in Iceland?? Get ready for gravel to the windshield and trucks passing 6 cars at once in the oncoming traffic lane.

Ireland is the most difficult place to drive. Stone walls border the roads so there's absolutely no room for error when trucks are brushing past you at 50 MPH. Scariest, white knuckle experience ever.

We used to do it because it's easier with kids - they can nap in the back seat, eat their snacks, etc. And in certain countries you can only reach the best sites with a car.

Not a worry for those who live in historical locations in New England.

Also, do the British realize that they drive on the wrong side of the road ?

[Anonymous]

Countries I have driven in:

USA
UK
Canada
Iceland
France
Holland (where I got a ticket for 3 kmh over on the motorway)
Belgium
Italy
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
Singapore
Uganda
South Africa
Senegal
Botswana
US Virgin Islands (I say "country" because they drive on the wrong side of the road there)
Texas
Florida

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lame brag post.

Vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of death for Americans abroad.
https://time.com/4250811/travel-safety/

You may be a great driver, but don’t assume others are.

Standards of emergency care and availability of trauma centers can also differ from US, even in countries with advanced tech. Road rules may also be ignored, again even in countries with good police and legal systems. Or you may not understand local rules. Road lighting, street markings, and signs can be different and it only takes one mistake to end up in a major accident.

People who treat driving as a low risk activity are foolish.

All that says is accidents involving vehicles is the #1 cause. That could mean American pedestrians were hit by cars too while simply walking in the street because they forgot traffic was from the opposite direction.

I guess you must be scared of any activity that has risk. How do you even fly abroad?

You should also learn to read better too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lame brag post.

Vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of death for Americans abroad.
https://time.com/4250811/travel-safety/

You may be a great driver, but don’t assume others are.

Standards of emergency care and availability of trauma centers can also differ from US, even in countries with advanced tech. Road rules may also be ignored, again even in countries with good police and legal systems. Or you may not understand local rules. Road lighting, street markings, and signs can be different and it only takes one mistake to end up in a major accident.

People who treat driving as a low risk activity are foolish.

+1000. This and the risk of food poisoning is why we don't really care to "travel abroad" in the first place. We love our annual family retreat in OBX.

[Anonymous]

I hate driving. Here, anywhere. So if I can avoid it, I do.