Road Safety Atlas: 5 Unusually Dangerous and 5 Especially Safe Places to Drive
Regardless of how "streetwise" you are at home, driving abroad means facing unpredictable hazards: unlit mountain passes, shared lanes with livestock, or high-speed motorways with no limits. Safety standards vary wildly across borders, and what is considered a routine drive in one country could be a survival challenge in another.
We have analyzed global road data to bring you five destinations where you should keep your guard up and five where the infrastructure and laws make for a stress-free journey. Buckle up and take note.
| The Extremes: High Risk vs. Maximum Safety | |
|---|---|
| Major Risk: Johannesburg | High rate of carjackings at night. |
| Major Risk: Bolivia | Perilous back roads and cliff-side drops. |
| Safest: Norway | World-leading low traffic fatality rate. |
| Safest: Germany | Superior infrastructure and strict laws. |
5 Unusually Dangerous Places to Drive
1. Johannesburg, South Africa: The Carjacking Threat
South Africa features stunning coastlines, but its urban centers suffer from high carjacking rates. In high-risk areas, residents sometimes treat red lights as "yield" signs at night to avoid being a sitting duck. Keeping doors locked and staying alert for "carjacking blackspots" is essential for anyone driving in the Gauteng Province.
2. Mississippi, USA: High-Speed Rural Risks
Statistically, Mississippi often ranks as one of the deadliest states for drivers in the U.S. The primary culprits are unlit rural roads, a high prevalence of speeding, and lower rates of seatbelt usage. With almost 27 road deaths per 100,000 residents, it remains a high-risk zone for those unfamiliar with the local terrain.
3. Back roads of Bolivia: Some of the world's most perilous roads
The quality of the back roads of Bolivia is far from the standards of the developed world. The landlocked nation's thoroughfares are often narrow, two-lane roads with bone-jarring potholes and no shoulders. The most famous example is the Death Road, where buses and trucks have historically plunged over the edge of sheer 2,600-foot drops.
4. Pennsylvania, USA: The Deer Collision Capital
In Pennsylvania, the danger comes from the wildlife, with over 100,000 deer-vehicle collisions annually. The odds of hitting a deer here are as high as one in 86. Drivers must be especially vigilant during November, the peak mating season, particularly between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
5. India: Roads with the most chaos
Notorious for its chaotic traffic, India might well be the most terrifying place to drive for a foreigner. Gargantuan traffic jams and a complete disregard for signs are the norm. Outside the cities, ancient vehicles hurtle along poorly maintained roads where car lights are often left off at night to save energy.
5 Especially Safe Places to Drive
1. Canada: First choice for first-time driving outside the U.S.
For North American drivers, Canada is the easiest and safest transition. Road signage is clear and the fatality rate is significantly lower than south of the border. Just remember that distances and speeds are posted in kilometers.
2. Norway: One of the lowest rates of traffic fatalities in the world
With a stellar safety record, Norway is an excellent driving destination. This is due to strict rules about mobile phone use, the mandatory use of headlights at all times, and some of the lowest blood-alcohol limits in the world.
3. Germany: Life in the fast lane
While famous for its Autobahns, driving in Germany is incredibly safe thanks to stringent vehicle inspections and impeccably maintained infrastructure. High-tech road scanners and freeze-resistant surfaces make even the speed-limit-free sections a pleasure to navigate.
4. Italy: Working to become one of Europe's safest places
Despite the movie images of chaotic streets, Italy has successfully reduced its road accident statistics. New laws with heavier fines and stricter DUI enforcement have seen deaths on Italian roads decrease by over 40% in the last decade.
5. Panama: Some of Latin America's safest roads
Outside of the gridlocked capital, Panama has some of Latin America's best roads. The modern, four-lane Pan-American Highway crosses the western side of the country with excellent maintenance and plenty of services for travelers.