Car hire in Eritrea - Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

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Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Eritrea is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

The roads between the major cities of Asmara, Massawa, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Barentu, and Keren are paved and are in relatively good condition. However, the roads leading to the smaller villages are usually unpaved and are in poor condition. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling at night and on unpaved and secondary roads.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the countryside in many areas and continue to cause occasional injuries and deaths. Although a demining effort is underway, it is wise to consider all areas that are not well-traveled as potentially dangerous due to live mines. Areas north and west of Keren are heavily mined. Also, there are minefields near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, south of Tessenae, Nakfa, Adi Keih, Arezza, Dekemhare, and in a roughly 40-kilometer wide region bounded on the east by the Eritrea-Ethiopia border, on the south by the Mereb River, and on the north by the Setit River. Check with local government and local village officials before undertaking travel off of paved roads in Eritrea, as newly discovered minefields are located regularly. Exercise caution when traveling off primary roads or to remote areas, and avoid secondary roads when possible. Bad weather may significantly reduce the ability to use roads that are in poor condition.

Many Eritreans make use of inexpensive public transportation, especially bus service. Travelers should avoid using buses if possible due to the risk of accidents as a result of extreme over-crowding. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in Asmara but are also likely to be crowded with many passengers not wearing seatbelts. If an empty taxi is available, a customer may request a "contract," meaning that for a slightly higher price, the driver will not pick up additional passengers. This option increases comfort and safety for a small extra cost.

Drivers should be aware of heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic that generally obstructs the flow of vehicular traffic on city streets. Occasionally, horse-drawn carts, cattle, or goats obstruct traffic. Children and the elderly sometimes wander into the street in the path of moving traffic. Drivers should be mindful of small motorized carts traveling at low speeds. These vehicles are normally operated by elderly or disabled people who do not always yield to faster moving traffic. When parallel parking on city streets, be aware of pedestrians as you back in to park.