Car accidents happen in both rural and urban parts of America. Despite this fact, there are statistical differences in the types of car accidents that happen in these different environments. Urban and rural roads differ in terms of road layouts, travel patterns, and traffic levels. Below, we will discuss some of the main differences.
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Differences Between Rural and Urban Car Accidents
Fatalities
Roughly 1 in 5 Americans live in rural areas, and only 30% of all miles traveled in the nation happen on rural roads. Despite the minority of population and road usage, half of all car accidents fatalities happen on these rural roads. This is partially due to higher speed limits in rural areas. According to the IIHS, 72% of car crash deaths in rural areas happened on roads with speed limits of 55MPH and above — as opposed to only 30% that happened in urban areas.
Pedestrian Interactions
While rural areas outpace urban areas in terms of high speed road deaths, urban areas are much more prone to intersection car accidents. This means that more than 70% of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths happen in urban areas. Furthermore, motorcyclists are more likely to die in an urban area, rather than a rural area.
What This Means For Drivers
Understanding the statistical differences between urban and rural car crashes means you can adjust your driving habits to maximize your safety. If you live in a rural area, you can pay closer attention to your driving speed and adjust to match the environmental conditions of the road. If you live in an urban area, you can be more mindful and cautious of pedestrians in walkways and at intersections.
And if worse comes to worst, it’s crucial to understand your rights. According to the car accident lawyers at Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP, it’s crucial to understand that people injured in car crashes due to another person’s negligence may be able to recover damages for medical expenses and lost wages. This is true even if the injured person is a pedestrian or bicyclist.
When it comes to road safety, the responsibility falls on all drivers, regardless of the type of place they live in.
