Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. That is every traveler’s mantra. If you just hope for the best, you’re in trouble. If you assume everything is just going to work out, then you may quickly find that your assumptions don’t match reality. Spend as much time as you need to before going on a journey to ensure that you are prepared for all the worst possibilities. Risk assessment may not sound like something fun, but it’s necessary to avoid the worst problems of traveling.
What are some of the worse things that could happen? Accidents top this list, when it comes to transportation. The risk is relatively high when the mode of transportation is a motorcycle or any other two-wheeler. However, you can protect yourself by wearing proper safety gear like a helmet, gloves, and other items and following traffic rules. For worst-case scenarios, it may also be helpful to have the contact information of a Detroit motorcycle accident lawyer (or wherever it is that you are traveling) handy.
Then there’s the matter of eating new food at your destination. How likely is it that you would end up with food poisoning or some other kind of digestive distress if you haven’t researched potential foodborne illnesses? And then there is the matter of cultural issues. Saying or doing the wrong thing at the wrong time can put you in hot water quickly.
Transportation and Traffic
No one wants to get in a vehicle accident while they’re traveling. But it does happen. Statistically, if you’re unfamiliar with an area and driving an exotic vehicle, that’s a recipe for a high-risk situation. There are a few things you can do to prevent possible issues in this case. First, you can brush up on your defensive driving theories. And second, you can try to take taxis instead of driving on your own at your destination.
Food Poisoning or Digestive Distress
Make sure you know the symptoms of food poisoning. You might think that you’re being broad and expanding your horizons by trying street food in an exotic location, but if you end up sick for a chunk of your vacation because of food poisoning, you’ll regret that decision. Having a local tell you which restaurants are safe to eat at for tourists is not a bad idea as well.
Cultural Issues
Some of the simplest things can get you in big trouble abroad when you’re traveling. You should prepare for these instances. For example, because of cultural differences, the way you speak in the way you move can be interpreted differently. If you make the wrong hand gesture in the wrong country, people will be offended. By researching culture ahead of time, you are mitigating the worst potential of a cultural faux pas. Reading a few travel guides will get you started.