Those who study car accident statistics have found that it’s more likely that someone will pass away in an accident on a rural highway. They usually find that smaller urban streets have a higher total number of accidents, but there are an equal number of fatalities between the two areas. With lower traffic levels, this means that these roads are technically more dangerous than the city streets.
If you’re surprised by this, it’s worth considering exactly why the danger is elevated and what this could mean for you:
Higher speed limits
One of the main reasons is just that speed limits are higher on rural roads. This means that your average crash is going to happen at a higher rate of speed, even if both drivers are obeying the speed limit, and the injuries in the accident could be more severe. In other words, getting into an accident at 55 miles an hour is statistically more likely to be fatal than an accident that happens at 25 miles an hour.
Impaired driving
Impaired driving has also been found to be a major contributor. Staying sober yourself is only half of the battle. There are going to be impaired drivers on the roads around you, so you need to be a defensive driver and avoid them.
Distance to medical centers
The final issue is one that you likely can’t do anything about. When you are involved in a serious accident on a rural road, the nearest medical center is simply going to be farther away. This can delay the medical treatment that you get, as it takes longer for an ambulance or other authorities to arrive at the scene.
Those who have lost loved ones in car accidents need to know about their legal options to seek compensation.
