Driving on rural roads is more dangerous than driving on city streets. This sometimes comes as a surprise to drivers who are used to rural roads, considering that they can feel much safer. They don’t feel nearly as chaotic or confusing, and you may have many times when you’re driving relatively alone.
So why is it that fatal accident rates are higher on rural roads? Here are just a few of the reasons.
Seatbelt usage is less common
One reason for higher fatality rates is simply that drivers in rural areas tend to use their seatbelts less often. Even a small reduction in seatbelt usage can lead to a corresponding increase in fatal accidents.
Speed limits are higher
Another thing to consider is simply that speed limits are higher in rural areas. The speed that a vehicle is traveling at the time of a crash has a clear correlation with the odds of that crash being fatal. So even a driver who isn’t speeding is more likely to pass away in an accident if they’re simply on a road with a higher speed limit.
Emergency services are more remote
The third thing to consider is simply that an accident itself may not be any different than one in the city. The injuries to the people involved in that accident could be exactly the same. But it is still more likely to result in a fatality simply because it’s going to take emergency responders a lot longer to get to the accident and transport that person to a hospital.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident or suffered serious injuries yourself, be sure you know what legal options you have.