For those still living, a few simple best practices for ground transport that cut the risk:

0. Always hire a driver foreign countries.

1. Make sure the driver isn't high, drunk or insane.

2. Assess yourself the vehicle is in safe, working order and has enough mass and safety features to "win" an accident.

3. Wear a seatbelt, even if it's hidden or nobody else does.

Being reasonably careful isn't about being a p$ssy, "worrying too much" or eliminating all unforeseeable risks, it's about not letting other people down by dying and causing a loss that really could have been prevented by making other choices. There are plenty of difficult/nearly impossible unpreventable ways to shuffle off the mortal coil, no reason to volunteer. I'd venture this wasn't one of those, because JG sounded like a sensible fellow.

Condolences, again.