Precautions When Driving in a Foreign Land
The best way to see another country up close is to rent a car and drive around the countryside. By driving from the city to your villa and back, you can set your own pace to see snippets of the place's culture, its landmarks, and its secrets.
However, since you are driving in a strange land, you must take precautions. Here are some tips you should keep in mind before setting off on the road:
First, make sure you have adequate car insurance. You will never know if you will get involved in a mishap. Check with your own provider on how to acquire car insurance abroad and what instances are covered in your policy.
Next, do not keep too many possessions in the car. Try to keep them out of sight by placing them in the trunk. Also do not show publicly that you are referring to a map when you are going out of your villa to go to a certain place. These actions may signal would-be thieves that you are a tourist who is a ripe target for mugging.
Leave your valuables at your villa. If you have to bring them, keep them out of sight by putting them in the glove compartment. Keep your windows and doors locked, especially at night or when you stop at traffic lights. These are opportune times for criminals to rob you of your belongings.
Finally, if your car is bumped from behind or if you see someone behind you flashing his headlamps, do not pull over until you reach a public area or a police station. This may be a common trick to get you to stop so that they could attack you easily.
