img src: https://secsteve.io/YctvTs

It’s not what you think. Despite all of the craziness out there in the world, the chances of getting severely injured, or dying, while traveling abroad are slim. We’re all humans, and unless you purposefully put some crazy target on your back, you’re likely going to be fine.

However, there is one unexpected exception to this. Americans widely have no clue because of something so common in the United States.

Americans expect that pedestrians always have the right of way

Admittedly, Americans don’t realize many things about the world. I know I’m forced to learn new things all of the time. Frequently, that knowledge transfer relates to how good we have it in the US.

img src: https://secsteve.io/bHhUAD

Ultimately, it is important to know that it is highly unusual in the world that pedestrians have the right of way, anywhere. In the US, we know if we scurry out in the middle of our interstate freeways, and something happens, it’s probably our fault. However, in almost every other situation (regular road, parking lot, cul-de-sac, etc) if we get hit by a vehicle, we expect that it is not “our fault”.

This is a dangerous expectation abroad, because it is not common. In the US, if something happens to us, we expect that the vehicle driver/owner will get in trouble and be responsible. Not so in most countries in the world.

img src: https://secsteve.io/hhhet0

In fact, some countries have obscure laws where the vehicle driver is in less trouble if they kill someone, that if they simply injure them.

Finally, the thing that is most important to remember – it’s difficult to sue someone if you are dead.

So, remember to do what you learned since before you could walk: Look both ways before you cross the street!!

img src: https://secsteve.io/KyqXtP

Safe Travels!!

#StayVigilant

#StaySafe

#LookOutForEachOther