According to the U.S. State Department, motor-vehicle crashes – not terrorism or crime – are the No. 1 cause of death of Americans traveling abroad. Driving in environments similar to the Middle East can lead to serious issues. A duty of care requires some simple precautions.
Before leaving for your trip, it is important to understand the laws and driving customs in the country you will be traveling in. A good source of information is the U.S. State Department. Its website’s road-safety section has information about driving conditions in every country in the world. Visit its pages and glean as much information as you can concerning the country you plan to visit.
Some Middle Eastern countries have restrictive laws concerning the operation of a motor vehicle, especially in the event of an accident. You can obtain a copy of a country’s driving laws from the country’s embassy.
In most Middle Eastern countries, it is not recommended to drive at night outside of the city. Poor lighting, unmarked construction areas, and erratic drivers can create dangerous scenarios. Driving in the Middle East can be chaotic. It is not unusual for drivers to pass at any time from any direction, especially on blind curves.
According to the State Department, most victims of car accidents abroad are not vehicle occupants but pedestrians. So one needs to not only be careful driving but also use caution when walking across intersections or along roadways. Keep in mind that, in almost all Middle East countries; speeding is common. Most drivers consider “Stop” and “Yield” signs to be suggestions, not requirements. So whether driving or walking, use extreme caution at intersections.
In the U.S. we have become dependent on GPS to find our way around. If you bring your GPS to the Middle East, ensure it has maps for your location. If you rent a vehicle, make sure the GPS can give directions in English.
It is suggested that you get an International Driving Permit. You can get one rather easily from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
In closing, drive defensively and use extreme caution. I suggest reading the World Health Organization’s report on road safety and subscribing to their newsletter Drive safely.