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VACATION
INJURIES

mix of traffic involving cars, buses, taxis, rickshaws, large trucks, Strategies to reduce the risk of traffic injury are shown in Table
and even animals increases the risk for crashes and injuries. 2-12. The Association for International Road Travel (www.asirt.org)
and Make Roads Safe (www.makeroadssafe.org) have useful safety
Millions of US citizens travel to Mexico each year, and >150,000 information for international travelers, including road safety check-
people cross the US–Mexico border daily. Travelers should be par- lists and country-specific driving risks. The Department of State has
ticularly cautious in Mexico; from 2011 through 2013, 27% of all safety information useful to international travelers, including road
deaths of US citizens abroad occurred in that country, where >200 safety and security alerts, international driving permits, and travel
Americans died in road traffic crashes. insurance (www.travel.state.gov).

Leading causes of injury death for US citizens in foreign countries, 2011-20131,2

Figure 2-02. 1 Data from US Department of State. Death of US citizens
abroad by non-natural causes. Washington, DC: US Depart-
ment of State; 2014 [cited 2014 March 26]. Available from:
http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/statistics/deaths
.html.

2 Excludes deaths of US citizens fighting wars in Afghanistan
or Iraq, and deaths that were not reported to the nearest US
embassy or consulate.

Recommended strategies to reduce injuries while abroad

HAZARD PREVENTION STRATEGIES Table 2-12.
Road Traffic Crashes
Always use safety belts and child safety seats. Rent vehicles with seat belts; when possible, ride in taxis with
LACK OF SEAT BELTS seat belts and sit in the rear seat; bring child safety seats and booster seats from home for children to ride
AND CHILD SAFETY properly restrained.
SEATS

DRIVING HAZARDS When possible, avoid driving at night in developing countries; always pay close attention to the correct
side of the road when driving in countries that drive on the left.

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC Check the Association for Safe International Road Travel website for driving hazards or risks by country
DRIVING HAZARDS (www.asirt.org).

MOTORCYCLES, Always wear helmets (bring a helmet from home, if needed). When possible, avoid driving or riding on
MOTOR BIKES, AND motorcycles or motorbikes, including motocycle and motorbike taxis. Traveling overseas is a bad time to
BICYCLES learn to drive a motorcycle or motorbike.
ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED
DRIVING Alcohol increases the risk for all causes of injury. Do not drive after consuming alcohol, and avoid riding
with someone who has been drinking.

CELLULAR ACTIVITIES Do not use a cellular telephone or text while driving. Many countries have enacted laws banning cellular
TAXIS OR HIRED telephone use while driving, and some countries have made using any kind of telephone, including hands-
DRIVERS free, illegal while driving.

Ride only in marked taxis, and try to ride in those that have safety belts accessible. Hire drivers familiar
with the area.

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