Many people feel like rural roads are far safer than streets in urban areas. The roads are wide open, you can set the cruise control and just enjoy the drive, and traffic congestion often isn’t an issue at all. People will sometimes even just drive for fun, thinking of it as a safe and relaxing way to spend the afternoon, whereas they would think of driving down city streets as stressful and demanding.
However, reports consistently show that, no matter how it feels, you face greater risks on those rural roads. Accident rates are simply higher and more of these accidents are fatal.
The speed issue
One of the biggest reasons for this is that traffic moves faster on these open roads. That’s not necessarily dangerous in its own right, but it drastically increases the risks of severe injuries if you do get into an accident. This is why there can be more accidents in the city but also far fewer fatalities. It’s just much harder on the body to crash at 55 miles per hour, as opposed to 25 miles per hour.
Other issues include higher rates of drunk driving, lack of seatbelt use, and risks from animals crossing the road. Additionally, being farther from a hospital can delay medical response times in the event of an accident, making it more likely someone will pass away.
Getting injured while you drive
Knowing you need to stay alert and safe on rural roads is only half of the battle. Someone else can still hit you and cause a serious accident, and then you may need to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. If you’ve been hurt in a wreck, find out more about your rights.