Supporting Local Schools. We hope these tips help you the next time you drive along rural roads. During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community. But on rural roadways, these checks and balances are often not there. This can include black ice, high winds, or precipitation that comes on suddenly. Be careful if there is a bad weather condition. Driving on rural roads in North Carolina can be a spectacular experience, especially during autumn. Furthermore, the remote nature of rural roads can make it difficult for emergency services to respond quickly, sometimes resulting in greater loss of life. In this situation, it is better to drive closer to the center of the road to avoid driving into a ditch. Fatal accidents were also three times more likely to occur on a non-interstate rural road. "Road rules": Operators must understand driving hazards; regulations include specific training for equipment operation and environment navigation. Change lanes smoothly.
If someone is already on the bridge when you arrive, allow them to pass before you proceed over the bridge. Besides, the countryside looks far more beautiful when you travel carefully and at a pace to take it all in. If you're not sure that you can safely pass the bridge, wait and yield to the other driver. Look across the intersection before you start to move to make sure the path is clear all the way through the intersection. The same goes for fog, blowing snow, and other poor visibility conditions. If you attempt to pass a large piece of equipment on a rural roadway, make sure that you have plenty of time and space to make the maneuver safely. Safely navigating large agricultural equipment over rural roads to and from the fields is a challenge for even the best drivers. Rural roads have been known to be more hazardous than city streets due to the tight and narrow roadways, tight turns, blind spots, and many other distractions that can send you straight into a major accident. The speed limit for rural roads varies from state to state, but as a general rule, these speed limits tend to be around 45 mph (72 km/h). I had to go regardless, to meet contractual obligations and the needs of aging parents. Avoid being a statistic! So what makes rural road crashes so deadly?
You may have to deal with narrow, poorly surfaced roads, slow-moving vehicles, unexpected junctions and adverse weather - all at the same time! Agricultural equipment on roads and highways. Cyclists also like to take backroads due to less traffic, so look out for bikes coming around corners. Our expert team of Virginia car accident attorneys has a deep understanding of Virginia's rural and trafficked roads, and we have seen firsthand how poor road conditions – and others' poor choices – can affect responsible drivers. Keywords: Rural Driving, Rural street, Rural streets risky, Risky kind of street. The following safety hazards are likely to be found on rural roads: - Lack of signs or accurate maps. The most common type of collisions on rural roads are single-vehicle, intersection and head-on.
That being said, if you are driving a car in a rural environment, and there is a motorcyclist behind you, they are probably going to want to pass you. When it is safe to pass, signal for a left-lane change and glance over your left shoulder to check your blindspot. Obey the law: This may seem obvious, but rural roads often have a reduced police presence. Take your foot off the accelerator. Deer and other heavy animals can only damage your vehicle but on a high-speed impact could potentially crash your windshield and hurt you. The number of hazards you will encounter on rural roads is no greater than on any other type of road. Ensure that the vehicle's warning devices, such as SMV signs, are visible. In urban areas, drivers are more alert because of the extra vehicles on the road, but you're more likely to encounter drunk, exhausted, or reckless drivers in rural areas.
Some rural roads may be slick with mud or dirt deposited by trucks and farm machinery. Lesson one – gravel roads. It's the passing driver's responsibility to pass – not yours. Quite simply because they will detract your attention from the road. Carry GPS and a map of the area and be sure of where you are going before driving too far in a remote area. If a rural road is curvy or hilly, driveways can be difficult to see until you are very close to them.
Steep hills and curves. Clearly, the quality of Virginia's roads, particularly rural roads, plays a major role in traffic accidents. There are some potential perils in country territories that you ought to know about: plain field and homestead garages and passages, animals crossing regions and ranch vehicles, harsh street conditions. If a wild animal appears in front of your vehicle, do not slam on the brakes or swerve out of your lane. Mountain roads have many sharp curves that could possibly prevent seeing approaching traffic. Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy.
Tight roadways, blind turns, hedgerows that block your line of sight, and agricultural traffic can all constitute a danger to motorists if not taken into consideration. Master Instructor, Emeritus. Or how to thwart mice – the scourge of rural life – so they don't eat those non-perishable snacks and nest in blankets you would wrap up in after sliding off the road. The urge to overcorrect is strong and often results in a serious crash. The report was produced by Toxcel, a Virginia-based research consulting firm. Gravel roads present their own special road safety challenge; the issue is traction. Varying road surfaces. At night, it all looks densely black and the first thing you'll know is when your car's upside-down in a ditch and you're hanging from your seatbelt with an exploded airbag in front of you. Fatality rates then decline with age until the mid-forties when they climb again. Reviewing the map and directions before you go will help you get to your destination more safely and avoid getting distracted by your GPS. You should drive at or below the speed limit regardless of how unnecessarily slow it may seem. For example, in some states, dust storms can greatly decrease visibility.
You may find that drivers behind you will try and overtake you and the slow-moving vehicle in one go, so keep an eye on your mirrors and always check them before pulling out to overtake. Driving safely always means being courteous and allowing the other vehicle to proceed. If you happen to notice wildlife on the road from afar, attempt to slow down and blast your horn enough to startle them off of the road. Get ready for the permit test with. That means that many drivers are more likely to engage in reckless behavior, such as drinking alcohol while driving, or excessively speeding. If you've been forced off-road, the emergency services will have to fight their way across terrain or locate a suitable landing place for a rescue helicopter, which could end up being thirty minutes' walk from where your accident occurred. Get in your ready position by keeping at least 3 seconds of following distance.