Safest Countries For Driving: What Are Their Secrets For Success
As Americans, we are generally competitive by nature. When someone asks which country is safest for driving, we might be tempted to say the United States. However, that would not be the case.
According to Drive Safer, the United States did not make the list of the safest countries for driving. We are not the worst drivers in the world, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
See below for further reading on the safest countries for driving.
Germany Has a Grueling Process for Obtaining a Driver’s License
Germany ensures that drivers are prepared to drive safely when they receive their driver’s license. The process of obtaining a driver’s license is much more difficult compared to the United States.
The requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in Germany include:
- Theory classes
- Theoretical test
- Registration
- Special lessons
- Practice test
- Final behind-the-wheel driving test
Drivers must have experience practicing on country roads, motorways, and the various driving conditions they may encounter in Germany.
Germany’s roads are also safe. Traffic laws are strictly enforced in Germany, including the penalties for violating traffic laws. Infractions of traffic laws result in points against a person’s driver’s license. Get too many points, and you cannot drive.
Germany is a safer country for driving because drivers receive much more training and experience before obtaining their driver’s license than most other countries.
Countries Ranked by Road Fatalities Per Capita
Dangerous roads ranks countries for safe driving by the number of traffic-related deaths reported annually. While Germany is not on the list, neither is the United States.
The safest country for driving is San Marino, with no traffic deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. It is followed by the countries of Micronesia, Maldives, Norway, and Sweden to round out the top five.
World Atlas also ranked the countries for safe driving by the number of traffic fatalities. The three countries for safe driving according to its list were Monaco, Micronesia, and Sweden. Again, the United States was absent on the top 25 list of safe countries for driving.
The European Union ranks the countries with the safest drivers in Europe. Sweden and the Netherlands made the top of the list.
Factors That Impact Which Country is the Safest for Driving
The data used to compare whether a country has a high rating for safe driving can give slightly different results, depending on what is used. For example, using traffic deaths per capita to rank countries ignores the data related to injury accidents. A country could have a low traffic fatality rate but a much higher overall traffic accident rate than another country.
Also, as in Germany’s case, there is more than just raw numbers to consider when raking a country for safe driving. You need to consider the time and preparation required before you are permitted to operate a vehicle legally.
The number of cars within the country can also be a factor. Some countries do not have as many cars on the road, reducing the risk of being in a traffic accident altogether. Also, countries that strictly enforce speed limits and traffic laws may be safer for driving.
Before you believe that Germany or Sweden is the safest for driving, it is important to consider the author’s data and factors to decide which country ranks first.
How Can American Drivers Improve Our Rating?
The one thing that all of the lists had in common is that the United States was not listed. The United States may not have been on the bottom of the list, but we were far from the top.
In 2019, over 6.75 million car crashes were reported to the police, which resulted in 2.74 million injuries and 26,096 deaths. On average, there are over six million traffic accidents each year in the United States.
Most traffic accidents are preventable. They are caused by human errors and negligence. Therefore, if drivers slow down, obey traffic laws, avoid distractions, and practice safe driving habits, the United States might move up on the list of the safest countries for driving.
Unfortunately, many motorists continue to engage in risky driving behaviors. They might like the thrill, or they may not like anyone telling them what to do. In either case, motorists engaged in risky and dangerous driving behaviors put everyone in danger.
For that reason, our laws in the United States provide accident victims with the right to sue an at-fault driver for damages. An accident victim can hold the other driver financially liable for economic losses, physical injuries, and emotional damages.
You may not be able to control what another driver does behind the wheel, but you can hold him responsible if he causes you to be injured. You deserve to be compensated for your damages.
Do you have questions about road safety in your city?, Contact us and we’ll get back to you.