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Take steps to keep students road-safe at home and abroad                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Riskier Driving Habits on the Rise

In the early days of the pandemic, there was significantly less traffic on the roads in general and, globally, there was a significant drop in road crash injuries. People felt safer with fewer cars, however, as we quickly learned in the US, there was more reckless, impaired driving and cell phone use while driving, which resulted in more fatalities.

While the number of crashes remains lower in some countries, especially in Western Europe, the US has seen increased rates of injuries and fatalities. US government data shows traffic fatalities have surged, along with an increase in crashes involving impairment, speeding, red-light running, aggressiveness, and non-seatbelt use – all to the highest level in over a decade. “Our research finds that higher-risk motorists accounted for a greater share of drivers during the pandemic than before it,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Safety-minded individuals drove less, while many who increased their driving tended to engage in riskier behaviors behind the wheel.”

Fewer Cars Do Not Equal Safer Roads

Travelers abroad often bring a sense of security and comfort that they developed during the early days of the pandemic. They believe that there are fewer cars on the roads and therefore feel safer on the roads now than they did previously. This false sense of security leads to more careless road use both at home and abroad. However, it is critically important for travelers to be vigilant and aware of risks including a lack of familiarity with the laws, driving culture, and road conditions in the destination country. The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) recommends that travelers become informed to mitigate road risk which is still the leading cause of death for healthy Americans traveling abroad.

It’s important to create a culture of safety at home and abroad so that when traveling or studying abroad, travelers can apply a positive, safe road perspective.

Pre-Trip Planning Must Include Road Risk Training

Among the steps you can take prior to student travel domestically and internationally include pre-departure training on road culture and risks. This includes safety measures for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, passengers, and public and ride-share transport users. Knowledge of specific signage, laws and driving culture are critical in minimizing risk. For example, while the roads in Western European countries seem similar to those in the US, there are often clear differences in the use of streetlights, pedestrian crossways, and communication between drivers and pedestrians.

Risk managers play an important role in informing travelers of road risks and encouraging all to know before you go.

New Benefit for URMIA Members

ASIRT offers country-specific road travel reviews (RSRs) to help risk managers and education abroad professionals plan safe itineraries, train on- and off-site staff, raise awareness, and provide faculty and students with the tools to make safe, informed travel decisions during their stays abroad.

URMIA members receive a 20% discount on new subscriptions to either a 20-report package or unlimited access to country reports. To register for a new, first-time discounted ASIRT subscription, determine your subscription level and subtract your discount at the bottom of the form after selecting “Subscribe.”

Already a subscriber? Select “Renew” and can enjoy $50 off your annual renewal as an URMIA member.

“Road safety is one of the primary areas of risk that we assess when evaluating our international travel programs. The partnership with ASIRT gives us access to valuable information that helps us make data-driven decisions about transportation safety in these countries. We utilize the resource in our risk management office and it is invaluable to our study abroad programs as well.”

-- Shaun M. Jamieson, International Risk Manager, Iowa State University

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