The World's Most Dangerous Countries To Drive In

About 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2015 Global status report on road safety. That number has not changed even though improvements in road conditions have been observed. The following list is based on data by WHO and by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, which did its own study last year, both of which calculate the rate of traffic fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants.

The rate of traffic fatalities in Libya is 73.4 per 100,000 people. More than 3,606 deaths were reported in 2013 alone, even though WHO estimates the actual number was above 4,500. (See: 5 Safety Tips and Tricks Every Runner Needs to Know) 

The highest fatality rate from road crashes is in Namibia (45 per 100,000), according to UMTRI's study. Most of the roads are gravel. They are also very wide, straight and quiet. All of these tend to make drivers too relaxed which, as a result causes them to speed up too much, increasing the risk for crashes.

Thailand's fatality rate is 36.2. There are no formal audits required for new road construction projects, according to WHO, and there are no regular inspections of existing road infrastructure. The UMTRI has also ranked Thailand as the second most dangerous country in which to drive.

There are 36 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, according to UMTRI. Driving there is chaotic, but the country made the list mostly because of the overall security situation. Parts the country are unstable due to high levels of violent crime and armed conflict, according to the Canadian government. (See: Safest Countries in the World)

The road fatality rate in Swaziland is also 36 per 100,000, according to UMTRI' s study. Cattle and pedestrians can very often be seen on roads between cities. Too many pot holes, ramshackle settlements, and wandering livestock make driving a difficult task.

There are 35 road deaths per 100,000 people (32, according to UMTRI). Even though audits are being done when new projects are started, officials don't inspect existing roads and there are no policies to promote walking or cycling, or to encourage investment in public transportation.

UMTRI calculated the road deaths rate to be 35 per 100,000 people. Many roads are in good condition, but there are also gravel and dirt roads with pot holes and landslips, according to TripAdvisor. The rainy months of May and October are the most dangerous for pedestrians and drivers.

Liberia's death rate from car accidents is 33.7 per 100,000 people. Laws against drunk driving and regulating speed exist but there are none that require motorcyclists to put helmets on, drivers to wear seat belts or putting restrictions on children sitting in the front.

The road traffic fatalities rate in the 11th largest country on Earth is 33.2. Roads are in very bad condition, and most of them are unpaved or unmaintained.

Tanzania's fatality rate as a result of car accidents is 32.9. Roads are in bad condition, especially in the western part of the country. The dust everywhere, which doesn't go away easily because the weather is usually hot and dry, this increases the risk of crashes.  

CAR's road fatalities rate is 32.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. Existing infrastructure is poor and the government doesn't inspect it on regular basis. Many roads have large holes and degraded areas that prevent the normal flow of traffic. Only few roads, including in the capital, are paved.

The death rate from road incidents in Iran is 32.1. The estimated GDP lost due to road traffic crashes is 6 percent. Most of the victims are passengers in 4-wheeled cars (24 percent) and pedestrians (23 percent).  UMTRI's has ranked Iran third with 38 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants.

As in Iran, Rwanda's road fatality rate is 32.1 per 100,000 people. Traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road, but there is an abundance of right-hand drive vehicles that create risks. Traffic circles are especially risky. Frequent grenade attacks have damaged of lot of the infrastructure.

The road fatality rate is 32, according to UMTRI. Drunk driving, exceeding speed limits, making sudden lane changes without signaling properly, and not paying attention to stop signs are some of the contributing factors to car accidents in the country.

Iraq is the 10th most dangerous country to drive in, according to UMTRI, with 32 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants. Travel within Iraq remains very dangerous given the security situation. The drivers here are impatient, rude, and drive anywhere they can, according to VirtualTourist.

The road fatality rate in Mozambique is 31.6. There are no formal audits required for new road construction projects, no checkups of existing road infrastructure, no policies to promote walking or cycling, no policies to encourage investment in public transport, and no policies to separate road users and protect vulnerable road users (VRU).