Country Roads vs. City Streets: Which Are Actually Safer?
- Selina Barker
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Traveling around the city or out in the countryside? If you’ve driven in both landscapes, you know that each poses unique challenges. While you may have to watch for more wildlife crossing rural roads, in the city jaywalkers dart in front of cars just as suddenly. So which area is actually more dangerous to drive in? And what can you do to prepare for your trip?
City Driving
When you drive in the city, it can seem like there’s a new challenge at every turn. Between road closures, construction, detours, and potholes, even the same route can look different day-to-day. Any deviation from the norm increases the chances of a collision, which is why being predictable is so important on the road, and why city streets can be so dangerous.
Another challenge of city driving is navigating changing road layouts, signs, and signals. A two-way street may suddenly become one-way, or a bike lane might appear with little warning. It can also be confusing driving around vehicles that follow a special set of rules, like buses and streetcars. If you’re not used to these vehicles, it can be hard to remember when to stop and when to pass. When you do encounter buses and streetcars, you have a limited amount of space in which to maneuver. In the countryside, while you may come across unique vehicle types, like tractors, there is often plenty of space and time to pass them safely.
In the city, speed limits tend to be lower because of the increased presence of school zones and residential neighbourhoods. Higher traffic volume can also cause cars to slow to a crawl. Lower speeds may seem to suggest that city streets are safer, but heavy traffic means more minor collisions and fender-benders. Though less likely to be fatal than high-speed collisions, they still contribute to congestion, property damage, and increased risk for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, and still cause serious, long-term injuries.
Country Driving
Rural roads have their own unique set of challenges that can make them dangerous. One such challenge is the environment itself. Dirt roads, loose gravel, and the absence of road markings increases a driver’s risk of skidding and slipping, and trees and ditches so close to road edges make collisions more severe.
“Almost half of all fatal crashes in the United States occur on rural roads, even though only 19% of the population lives there. Rural driving accounts for just 31% of vehicle miles traveled.”
Less congestion, higher speed limits, and fewer intersections mean that vehicles travel at much higher speeds on rural roads than on city streets. The isolation can also feel like an invitation for drivers to drive above safe levels. Speed is one of the strongest predictors of crash severity, which is one reason why collisions on rural roads result in fatalities more often than those on city streets.
Other circumstances can increase the severity of collisions, including failure to wear seatbelts and impaired driving. Cities tend to have more robust infrastructure to help people get home safely after drinking, such as public transit, taxis, or rideshare services, while fewer options and greater isolation in rural areas can increase the likelihood that people choose to drive while under the influence. On rural roads, longer travel distances and less perceived enforcement can also contribute to lower seatbelt use. Together with higher speeds, these factors help explain why collisions on country roads are often deadly.
“According to data, rural drivers speed more, drive drunk more often and are less likely to wear their seat belts.”
When drivers think there is nobody around, they’re more likely to take chances. The lack of pedestrians, complex road markings, and busy intersections can lull them into a false sense of security. When collisions do occur on rural roads, emergency responders are few and far between, making response times longer and increasing the risk of serious outcomes.
Prepare Yourself
When all factors are considered, rural driving poses a significantly greater risk to a driver’s life. Despite higher traffic volumes in urban areas, the fatality rate on rural roads is higher per mile traveled.
“While urban areas have more overall crashes, rural crashes are more severe and deadly due to higher speeds, longer emergency response times and lower seat belt usage.”
It is important for drivers to remember that speed limits are there to keep everyone safe. When roads are wet, cold, icy, or covered with loose gravel or dirt, driving at a lower speed is advisable to reduce the risk of skidding.
Before getting into your vehicle, check your tires for wear and tear. Ensure the tread is not too worn down and that there are no sharp objects stuck in your tires causing a leak. Tire pressure can fluctuate with changes in weather, so be sure to check that your tires are within a safe range.
After a cold winter, your vehicle may need some TLC. Before setting off on any trips, give it a thorough once-over to make sure everything is working as expected. Top up any low fluids and see if your oil needs changing.
“Ensure your headlights and brake lights are functioning properly, and don’t neglect your windshield wipers.”
Consider giving your car a wash to clean off any dirt, salt, or other grime that accumulated in the cold weather. If you often travel on empty rural roads, be sure to have an emergency kit in your vehicle in case of a breakdown.
Most collisions, whether in the country or city, happen because a driver made a mistake. Prepare yourself for the realities of driving, wherever you plan to go. By paying attention and following the rules, you decrease your margin for error and increase your chances of getting home safely.
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