Even though you might hear about a lot of traffic accidents, it doesn’t mean your roads aren’t safe. Some countries don’t have it so easy. In certain parts of our world, people risk their life every day when they step into their car. Some countries’ roads are so dangerous that there are nearly 50 deaths per 100,000 people. Once statistics reach these levels, you’re better off smoking than driving. Let’s look at some of the most dangerous countries to drive in the world.
The Gambia
The Gambia is Africa’s smallest country, yet has one of the highest traffic-related death rates on the whole continent. There’s 36.6 deaths per 100,000 people here, which is surprising because the country’s speed limits are 70km per hour on major highways and 25km per hour in residential areas. With only a quarter of a million cars on the road they still seem to be causing carnage in the country.
Angola
It’s no surprise that another African country made the list. When it comes to traffic-related deaths, Angola just beats out The Gambia with around 37.7 deaths per 100,000 people. According to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs “drivers [in Angola] often fail to obey traffic signals and signs, and there are frequent vehicle breakdowns, a problem exacerbated by missing manhole covers. Itinerant vendors, scooters, and pedestrians often weave in and out of traffic, posing a danger to themselves and to drivers. Avoid most public transportation, including buses and van taxis, as the vehicles are generally crowded and may be unreliable.” There you have it, if you’re in Angola, walk!
Iraq
Being a war zone doesn’t exactly help figures, especially when car bombing is your country’s “toilet papering”. In Iraq there are roughly 38.1 deaths per 100,000 drivers and it’s really no surprise: Iraq only started issuing drivers licenses in 2010. Before 2010, you simply needed to have a pulse.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE comes in at 37.1 deaths per 100,000, which is bit shocking considering the wealthiness of the country. Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in the UAE. According to the World Health Organization, the UAE has the highest rate of road fatalities in the Middle East and one of the highest rates in the world. Drivers often drive at high speeds. Unsafe driving practices are common, especially on inter-city highways. On highways, unmarked speed bumps and drifting sand create additional hazards. Pedestrians should also use great care on the roads of the UAE –over 25 percent of road fatalities are pedestrians.
Eritrea
We think Eritrea is a real country, and it also happens to have the highest traffic-related death rate in the world at 48.8 deaths per 100,000 people. There is obviously much work that needs to be put into making the roads much safer. Who knows if the government will eventually stump up the cash, and until the rest of the world can confirm that this is a real country, it may take a long time.
Afghanistan
Much like Iraq, Afghanistan is another country with a history of war that’s still going on to this day. Will this country ever see the end of the war and will this make the roads more safe? The roads have a death rate of 39 in 100,000 drivers, but the Qorma is delicious.
Niger
Most of Niger is covered in endless desert. Outside of the cities you would be hard pressed to find any infrastructure at all. If you country has no roads it’s no surprise that the amount of road traffic accidents is very high. Can you even call them road traffic accidents if they don’t happen on roads? 37.7 deaths per 100,000 is the number here.
Libya
The final country is Libya and it’s also one of the highest coming in at 40.5 deaths per 100,000 people. During Gaddafi’s reign the country’s finances were mostly allocated to his palaces, cars, and Ukrainian nurses. If this money would have been spent on making the roads safer then maybe there wouldn’t be such high death rates. Let’s hope it finally changes for the better.
Nicholas Stem is a member of automotive America club which provides information on car motors and their spare parts. He also an active blogger on http://www.cmmautomotive.com
why say “we think Eritrea is a real country?” if the point is humor, then more effort is needed. if it is legitimate ignorance, well then this website should have a different name and more research into one of the world’s more important geopolitical regions is required…
To be honest Abraham, we’re happy if we can just spell our own names correctly.