UNITED STATES TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS
Dallas and the United States are a whole is well served by public transport and amenities and carries few security concerns, but as ever, it is wise to be prepared when travelling:
- Familiarise yourself with your destination - the layout of the city and important routes
- Always carry a charged phone programmed with useful numbers - your hotel, local colleagues, police, or embassy - and the International SOS Assistance app
- Don't give out personal information and don't discuss your travel plans with strangers
- If walking in public, carry small denominations of currency. Keep larger denominations (notes) and cards in a money belt
- If you suspect that you are being followed, enter any busy public place and call local authorities for help
- Travellers should be alert to suspicious packages or behaviour and report all related activity to local authorities
TRAVEL RISK
- Crime levels are fairly low in commercial centres, but higher in low-income, inner-city areas where social tensions, poverty and street gangs exist; there are also significant regional variations.
- Although the threat from terrorism in the US is mitigated by a highly capable police force and security infrastructure, small-scale attacks carried out by low-profile domestic extremists remain inherently difficult to detect and prevent, particularly those involving crude explosives or firearms. Nevertheless, such incidents remain rare and are unlikely to affect business travellers.
- Social protests relating to economic, immigration and environmental issues occur sometimes, though most tend to pass off peacefully. Racial tension results in occasional rioting, generally sparked off by incidents involving the police or perceived shortcomings of the judicial system.
- Severe weather conditions – hurricanes between the months of June and November along the east and south-eastern coasts, forest fires in dry areas along the west coast and snowstorms during winter months – occasionally disrupt air and road travel.
Consult the International SOS Travel Risk Map for more information.
PERSONAL RISK
- A degree of caution should be exercised in larger cities after dark. High-crime areas (often lower-income districts) should be avoided. Travellers are advised to take standard security precautions against petty crime.
- Be alert to suspicious behaviour and report any suspect behaviour or packages to the authorities.
- In the event of unrest, return to your accommodation and stay there until the situation stabilises.
- It is advisable to carry original identification documents at all times; these may be requested during police stop-checks, when entering certain entertainment venues, and when purchasing some public transport tickets.
- Public transport is suitable for business visitors, though bus terminals are often situated in low-income districts; arrange onward transport by taxi or to be met on arrival if travelling by bus
Visit the International SOS website for more information on health and security solutions.