Many seasoned travelers are accustomed to checking the U.S. State Department’s travel warningsprior to traveling abroad. The warnings exist at four levels: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Caution; Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3 – Reconsider Travel; and Level 4 – Do Not Travel.
The warnings are specific to U.S. citizens considering travel abroad based on the U.S. government’s assessment of risk for U.S. citizens traveling in that country–although some of the countries rated for increased caution remain among the most popular destinations for American travelers. At press time, much of Western Europe is Rated Level 2, while Mexico is rated state-by-state, and there are Mexican states rated at each of the four levels.
There’s also an assumption inherent in the State Department’s ratings—that remaining within the United States is safer than traveling abroad.
However, as Travel Noire highlighted last week, several other countries have told their citizens that the United States is a destination where increased caution is necessary, primarily citing high crime and firearm violence as top concerns.
The United Kingdom’s Home Office warns Britons that safety concerns in the United States include terrorist attacks, car and street crime, and protests that can turn violent. New Zealand has issued similar warnings for its citizens, and also notes that there is a “higher incidence of violent crime and firearm possession than in New Zealand” but tempers that with “crime rates vary considerably across cities and suburbs and incidents rarely involve tourists.”
There’s also an assumption inherent in the State Department’s ratings—that remaining within the United States is safer than traveling abroad.
However, as Travel Noire highlighted last week, several other countries have told their citizens that the United States is a destination where increased caution is necessary, primarily citing high crime and firearm violence as top concerns.
The United Kingdom’s Home Office warns Britons that safety concerns in the United States include terrorist attacks, car and street crime, and protests that can turn violent. New Zealand has issued similar warnings for its citizens, and also notes that there is a “higher incidence of violent crime and firearm possession than in New Zealand” but tempers that with “crime rates vary considerably across cities and suburbs and incidents rarely involve tourists.”