The prospect of crashing on an urban road might seem more serious at first glance than that of doing so in a rural area. Urban roads have far more vehicles and drivers are often stressed or aggressive due
Yet the statistics show a somewhat different picture.
Fatalities are more likely in rural accidents
Several reports have highlighted how rural driving can actually be more dangerous than urban driving.
NPR reported that “56 percent of the nation’s 37,261 traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas … In some states, more than 90 percent of highway deaths occur on rural roads.” Remember, even though 56 percent is just over half, there are far fewer drivers and journeys made in rural areas than in urban ones. The CDC found that “adult motor vehicle drivers and passengers in America’s most rural counties had motor-vehicle death rates three to 10 times higher than those in the most urban counties.”
Several things contribute to such statistics:
- Higher speeds: Speed limits are often higher once you get away from town. Combined with fewer police or speed cameras, it means vehicles tend to travel faster, which translates to more force in any collision. While you might get more collisions in town, many of them will be simple fender benders because of the lower speeds involved.
- Greater time taken to reach and treat casualties: If you crash in an urban area, you are never that far from a hospital. An ambulance can usually reach you, start treating you and get you to a hospital relatively quickly. It can take a lot longer to get the help you need in a rural area, and sometimes that delay in treatment will prove fatal.
Other factors may also be present due to lower levels of law enforcement. Drivers may be more likely to drink and drive, and drivers and passengers might be less likely to always wear a seatbelt, thus increasing the severity of their injuries if a crash occurs.
If you are injured in a collision with another vehicle, or lose a family member in one, it is wise to learn more about your options for compensation.
