FCO Tries to Cut Expat Road Deaths

Expat Globe

When a fresh faced expat first moves abroad one of the first things that they will struggle to contend with is the new road culture in their adoptive home.

While British roads are not the safest in the world there are often greater dangers to be faced in much of Asia including Thailand, India and Indonesia.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has now launched a campaign designed to cut the number of accidents suffered by UK expats and holidaymakers on roads abroad.

British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent said: “British nationals using the roads in Thailand should bear in mind that road laws and driving customs here are different from those in the UK, and road conditions, driving standards and road traffic regulations can vary.

“Road traffic accidents can have a profound effect on both those individuals involved and their families. Accidents do occur and not all tragedies are avoidable, but the outcome could be very different with many lives being saved and critical injuries reduced if people adopted the same safety precautions abroad that they would naturally take at home.

“I have visited hospitals here and heard from doctors how many deaths could have been avoided by following the law and taking the appropriate precautions, such as safety helmets. You should check that your travel insurance specifically covers you for driving a scooter or any other vehicle abroad.”