Rural roads make us think of leisurely drives to admire the beautiful scenery. But the seeming tranquility masks the dangers of driving in less-than-ideal driving conditions. Driving in the country comes with an increased risk for crashes and accidents. That fact may come as a surprise considering the heavier traffic and more populace streets of the city. The numbers, however, do not lie; the CDC puts the rural road motor vehicle death rate at 3 to 10 times higher than that of comparable city road deaths.
That rural road driving is more hazardous is something we’ve known for a long time. At least since 2008, when, according to NPR, “56 percent of the nation’s 37,261 traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas … In some states, more than 90 percent of highway deaths occur on rural roads.”
The statistics for driving on rural roads didn’t improve from there. A 2017 CDC study found that “adult motor vehicle drivers and passengers in America’s most rural counties had motor-vehicle death rates three to 10 times higher than those in the most urban counties.”
Rural Roads Traffic
What causes the car accidents and fatalities that occur on rural roads? For one thing, the unimpeded flow of rural driving, with no traffic to get in the way, can catch the driver off guard. The driver stops expecting the unexpected and forgets to be cautious.
When a driver feels that safe, they stop taking safety precautions, like buckling up. The same 2017 CDC study found that car occupants were less likely to wear seatbelts in rural areas, compared to in the city. A high number of rural motor vehicle fatalities might have been avoided through the simple act of wearing a seatbelt. These deaths were certainly due to the almost unconscious “nothing can happen to us out here” attitude of so many rural roads travelers; they don’t need a seatbelt. They feel safe.
Speed is Almost Indicated
Also, they drive fast. They figure, “There’s no traffic, I can really let loose.”
To some degree, they are right; speed limits are often higher along rural roads. Driving at higher speeds is somewhat indicated when driving on rural roads empty of other cars or living beings. Then again, rural roads may be bumpy, poorly maintained, precariously narrow, populated by wildlife, poor lighting, and a host of other issues that make rural road driving a dangerous business. The danger increases with the speed of the car, and the failure to don a seatbelt.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Like real estate, it’s all about “location, location, location.” Here, a rural location can mean lack of access to medical care in the aftermath of a crash. There may not be a hospital for miles around—or even an ambulance. It’s hard to quantify, but lifesaving medical care is crucial for those whose fate weighs in the balance after an accident along rural roads.
Just Take Precautions
Having considered the risks of driving on rural roads, you may be wondering if you should steer clear. There’s something to the idea, because even if you remain cautious and careful on rural roads, that’s not to say that other drivers will do the same. Also, we are not in control of weather or the terrain. All of these factors increase the risk for crashes and fatalities from the get-go.
Still, sometimes we want or need to travel rural roads to get where we need to go. For instance: if your granny lives in the backwoods, are you not going to visit her? There are other reasons to drive in the country, good reasons. For instance, you may actually live in a beautiful, tranquil rural area (lucky you). Your best bet then for staying safe is to stay alert; take precautions; and don’t be lulled by the beauty of the road.
