The Dangers of Rural Roads

Many motorists take a relaxed approach to driving on rural roads, viewing the long stretches of lonely highway to be a relaxing, safe part of their journey. Although it’s true that only 30 percent of America’s travel is done on these isolated thoroughfares, almost half of all traffic fatalities occur on rural roads. Rural roads are extremely dangerous for motorists at any time of day and you should practice the utmost vigilance while driving on them.

Rural Road Accidents Are Often Fatal

Driving on scarcely frequented, rural roadways is in many regards more dangerous than braving a congested freeway. Though factors such as less maintained roads and exacerbated poor weather conditions exist, the uncharacteristically high lethality of auto accidents on rural roads is primarily due to other reasons:

• A lack of shoulders. Most rural road fatalities are single-car collisions where vehicles swerve off the roadway. A frequent lack of shoulders and other recovery zones means that cars don’t have to go far to strike a streetlight, tree, or other objects.
• High-speed driving. Due to an absence of congestion, limited traffic lights, and scarce police, many people speed on rural roads, aiming to shave off minutes from longer travel times—in truth, they end up shaving precious seconds from their own and other driver’s reaction times.
• Irresponsible drivers. Drivers on rural roads are more likely to drive drunk or forgo seat belts, as well as to zone out on long, lonely straightaways, which leads to many completely avoidable rural traffic fatalities.
• Isolation. Rural roads are generally far from civilization and are less frequented by other drivers. In the event of a life-threatening accident, there likely won’t be any witnesses at the scene, and nobody might discover it for a while. Once the crash has been reported, the sheer distance necessary to travel means emergency responders will be slower, both to arrive and to bring injured victims back to hospitals, further reducing their chance of survival.

What To Do After Arizona Rural Road Accidents

Arizona’s rural roads are slightly less lethal than most, yet they still demand caution and attention from drivers to avoid dangerous collisions. If you’ve been in a collision on a rural road, you should prioritize your own safety and call 911 if you have cellular coverage. Taking basic first aid measures on your own is essential, as emergency responders might not reach you quickly (or at all during the “golden hour” of response time). If possible, ensure that you’re clearly visible from the roadway, even to less attentive drivers who might not be actively scanning their surroundings.

Once you’re safe, you can start considering legal options to pursue compensation, especially if you were struck by another vehicle. Under Arizona law, you can seek financial recoveries from another driver if they were even partially at fault for the accident and your injuries, which is frequently applicable because of the increased rates of speeding and irresponsible driving on rural roads. Call us at (623) 877-3600 to schedule your free consultation and learn more about your unique case with the advice of a compassionate, experienced Arizona auto accident attorney.