If you spend most of your time driving on rural roads, the odds are that you view them as fairly safe. There is usually not a lot of traffic around you, which contributes to this feeling.
However, studies have found that rural roads are actually more dangerous. Even when there are fewer accidents, the vastly lower traffic levels mean that more accidents happen per mile driven, leading to more injuries and deaths. Fatality rates are disproportionately high. Why is this?
The role of higher speed limits
First off, the average speed limits are higher. This increases the odds that someone who is in an accident will be seriously injured or killed. There may be fewer cars and crashes, but the risk is greater when people drive quickly. Speeding happens everywhere, but speeding in the city may mean going 35 in a 25, whereas speeding in the country could mean going 65 or 70.
The locations are too remote
Additionally, you have to consider where an accident takes place. Every extra mile to the hospital delays response times and treatment. A person in the city may live through the exact same injuries that take a person’s life on a rural road, all because they got to the hospital in a few minutes when the first responders hadn’t even reached the other driver yet.
Have you lost a loved one?
If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident or suffered serious injuries, you need to understand exactly what legal rights you have. You may be able to seek compensation from the driver who was at fault.