When someone gets behind the wheel for the first time, they will likely feel safest on a straight, empty road. This means that rural roads tend to feel comfortable and easy to navigate. City streets, which are much more complex and feature a lot more traffic, tend to inspire more fear in these new drivers.
As a result, many people start to regard the city as a dangerous place to drive and rural roads as safe places to drive. But does this actually hold any water? It does not. The rate of fatal accidents on rural roads is disproportionately high and greater than the rate of fatal accidents on urban streets. By this metric, the city is safer. But why is this?
Help is on the way
One thing to consider is how fast help can reach an accident scene. In the city, it often just takes a few minutes, but rural accidents can take much longer. People sometimes pass away from injuries that would’ve been survivable if they would have just received medical care more quickly.
Speed limits are higher
There’s also a clear correlation between speed and the odds of fatalities in an accident. Speed limits are higher in rural areas, so most of the accidents that do happen take place at a much higher rate of speed, even when drivers are following the law perfectly. Accidents at 60 miles an hour are just more likely to lead to fatal injuries.
Dangerous driving practices
Finally, researchers have noted some dangerous driving practices that will lead to fatalities. These include driving under the influence, speeding and driving without a seatbelt. Once again, it’s not that this doesn’t happen in the city, but just that it is common in rural areas and the ramifications can be severe.
What are your options?
If you’ve been injured in an accident or if you’ve lost a loved one, it’s very important to understand all of the options that you have to seek financial compensation.