People who live in the countryside have been warned to take care on roads as it is revealed that over half of road fatalities occurred in rural areas during 2016.
As colder conditions and dark nights take hold, rural motorists are being urged to adapt their driving accordingly and to be aware of slow-moving farm vehicles and vulnerable road users such as horse riders, walkers and cyclists.
Worryingly, 51% of fatalities occur on rural roads and the number of people killed is nearly 10 times higher than on motorways.
Drivers sometimes fail to appreciate the hazards of rural roads, warns Chris Roberts, NFU Mutual’s Regional Manager for the South West.
“Modern vehicles tend to insulate drivers from harsh conditions outside – but sophisticated braking systems won’t prevent a skid on an untreated road after a frost. Many rural roads aren’t gritted after a frost or snowfall so it’s vital to stay alert and adjust speed according to weather conditions,” Mr Roberts explained.
“In the countryside, you never know if there will be a tractor, horses, or a walker round the next corner and every year NFU Mutual deals with claims resulting from serious accidents involving farm vehicles being hit by fast-moving cars, lorries and motorcycles.”
Rural driving tips
Whether you’re a native of the countryside or an infrequent visitor, these tips by rural insurer NFU Mutual for countryside driving will help you stay safe and avoid the hazards.
• Plan your journey before you set off and give thought to locations that might be badly affected, such as flood prone areas, and monitor local weather forecasts.
• Stick to speed limits - rural roads require different driving skills – sharp bends, unexpected hazards and changing conditions can all catch out the unwary. Also, slow down on winding roads as many accidents occur from drivers taking sharp bends too quickly.
• Keep your windscreen, windows and mirrors clean and free of ice and ensure you have a supply of winter-ready screenwash.
• Avoid driving through flood water – driving through flood water is particularly risky as it is difficult to know how deep it is and what is hiding under the water’s surface.
• Be aware of mud and leaves on the road – both can be incredibly slippery in wet conditions and can cause vehicles to lose traction and skid.
• Make way for horses – anyone driving on a rural road should expect to often share it with horses and their riders, so drivers should slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. If you do need to pass a horse then stay at least a car’s width away from them, pass slowly and don’t make any sudden noises or movements which might spook them.
• Watch out for wildlife – it is quite common for wild animals to appear on country roads and a natural instinct might be to swerve to avoid them, but this is dangerous. A broken fog light or dented bumper is better than a serious accident due to losing control of your vehicle. Larger animals, such as deer, present a bigger problem so braking to reduce the severity of the impact is advisable.
• Be prepared for livestock delays – farmers often need to use the roads to move livestock to and from their fields. If the road is blocked by livestock then the best thing to do is stop the car, turn off your engine and wait patiently.
• Be patient with farm vehicles –be patient behind tractors; they rarely travel long distances, but be prepared for them to turn into fields and farmyards and other less obvious turnings of which you may not be aware.
• Read between the white lines – paint and markings are added to the road where there is a history of collisions and fatalities. The more paint there is on the road, the more potential danger there is. Be aware and take extra care.
