Are City or Rural Roads More Dangerous?
Every road trip is a choice. You can choose to take a direct or scenic route. You make the same choices when planning your work commute or running errands. What roads you drive on not only determines how fast you arrive at your destination but also how safe you might be. Which are more dangerous: city or rural roads?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), of the 42,939 motor vehicle accidents that involved a fatality nationally, 40% occurred in rural areas, while 60% happened in city areas. However, in Mississippi, those numbers are flipped. Data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) finds that 67% of fatal accidents occur on rural roads, and 29% occur on city roads.
Rural Road Safety Tips
The reason that rural roads in Mississippi are more dangerous than city roads has a lot to do with their design. Here are some common characteristics of rural roads that could increase the risk of accidents.
- Lack of streetlights
- Blind curves
- Narrow road width
- No shoulder or guard rails
- Rough or damaged road surface
- Obstacles on the road, such as slow-moving vehicles, animals, and debris
- Steep hills or sharp curves
Safe driving on rural roads requires you to be extra diligent. The following are some essential tips you should put into action when on these roads:
Follow the Speed Limit
Although it might seem like you are the only car on a long stretch of road, you should not exceed the speed limit. If you’re unfamiliar with the roads, you could encounter unexpected turns or objects in the road that you might not be able to manage at an accelerated speed.
Watch Out for Hidden Driveways
There are homes and farms scattered all through the backroads of Mississippi. Many of those homes are set far back from the road and hidden by trees and shrubbery. That can lead to a hidden driveway. A vehicle pulling out of that driveway could surprise you. That is why you want to slow down on the curves and hilly portions of the road.
Be on the Alert for Animal Crossing
There is an abundance of domesticated and wild animals in rural areas. At any given time, those animals could be crossing the road. That means you must be alert for dogs, cats, deer, cows, horses, foxes and more. At some point, there might also be a herd crossing. You don’t want to speed up or honk your horn in that scenario. You can let them pass.
Make Room for Large Vehicles
On highways and city roads, you share the lanes with trucks, buses, and larger vehicles. On rural roads, you will encounter a different variety of large vehicles, such as tractors, ATVs, and farming equipment.
Be Aware of Road Debris
Debris that falls on rural roads might remain longer than in city areas. That means you must be aware of road debris, such as tree limbs, car parts, and roadkill.
Use Your High Beams
The rural roads can be very dark at night, especially those with tree cover. This is when you want to slow down and use your high beams. However, you have to be aware of approaching vehicles and avoid blinding them with your high beams.
City Road Safety Tips
According to the statistics, in Mississippi, city roads are safer than rural roads, but they are not without challenges for drivers. Here are some of the challenges you can encounter when driving in city environments:
- Potholes and speed bumps
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Distracting sounds, billboards and signage
- Increased traffic
- Work zones
- Parked cars
Here are some helpful driving tips you can put into action:
Cover the Brakes
When in heavy traffic, it will help to cover your brakes rather than ride them. Covering the brake means keeping your foot hovering over the pedal, which makes you ready to respond. Riding the brake means applying pressure that triggers your brake lights and could cause sudden stops from the cars behind you.
Look Out for Pedestrians
There are crosswalks at every intersection, so you need to be on the lookout for pedestrians. In busier streets, pedestrians might also cross in between cars. Although they might not comply with the rules, you still have to be on the lookout for them.
Watch for Parked Cars and Driveways
People who get out of parked cars or pull out of driveways often don’t always pay attention to approaching cars. In those instances, you do have the right of way, but you still need to be aware of those obstacles.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is an issue on any road. However, on city roads, you might find yourself in slower traffic, which could have you checking your phone. That is the exact kind of distraction that can cause an accident. The same goes for applying makeup, eating, or reading signs.
Maintain a Good Braking Distance
Maintaining a good braking distance in stop-and-go traffic can be challenging. However, on the highway and when traffic is flowing, you should increase your braking distance to allow sudden stops.
Avoid Aggressive Drivers
You will encounter all types of drivers on the road. If you see any type of aggressive driver, it is best to let them pass and avoid them. You don’t need to “tell them” they are driving poorly.
When Accidents Happen
Even when you take extra precautions, you might become involved in a car accident in or around Jackson on rural and city roads. The attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC can provide the information and guidance to help car accident victims find a remedy. If you’ve experienced this type of incident, you owe it to yourself to call for a free consultation. Get the right help to make an informed decision about your options.
