Cheap car hire Ukraine - 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 U.S. The information below concerning Ukraine is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

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

Generally, roads in Ukraine outside major urban areas are in poor condition and poorly lit. Defensive driving is a must, since drivers often disregard traffic rules. Drivers are often poorly trained or drive without a valid driver’s license. Drivers can also be very aggressive, and they normally do not respect the rights of pedestrians, even at clearly marked pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians should also be aware of cars driving or attempting to park on sidewalks. Many cars do not meet the safety standards common in America.

Overland travel at night and in winter can be particularly dangerous. We strongly recommend that visitors and permanent residents of Ukraine refrain from driving their private vehicles after dark outside of Kiev. However, major roads are drivable during daylight hours. Roadside services such as gas stations and repair facilities are becoming more common, particularly on the main national and regional overland highways and in large and mid-size cities. Nonetheless, such services are far from American standards, and travelers should plan accordingly. There have been isolated reports of carjackings of western-made or foreign-registered cars. There has been an increase in the number of documented reports of criminal acts occurring on trains.

For additional general information about road safety, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at: http://travel.state.gov/road-safety.html.