It’s estimated that about 200 Americans are killed in road accidents abroad each year, and that’s a conservative number.

Whether you’re renting a car or traveling by bus, it pays to know the real conditions and local driving habits where you’re traveling. So to start your research, check with the State Department. They provide a user-friendly map that allows you search travel conditions by country. Each description has a section on basic traffic safety and road conditions, like what side of the road to drive on, even what side of the road cars pass on.

Another helpful resource is something called ASIRT. That stands for the Association for Safe International Road Travel. They provide free road travel reports about road conditions and risks in more than 150 countries. ASIRT also provides information on weather conditions, like flash floods or sudden snowfalls.

Find more tips in our Safety & Security section.