With the year-end holiday blitz descending upon us, many Americans will be traveling. Whether you’re driving to the city or the rural area, more cars on the road during wintry conditions means an increased risks of motor vehicle accidents and more serious injuries. Read below to find out more about the unique set of challenges between rural and city driving.
Rural Driving
Rural areas offer scenic and enjoyable drives, however, there are many dangers associated with driving on back roads. Gravel and dirt roads are common and a simple looking puddle could turn out to be a mud pit so avoid getting stuck!
Rural areas generally have less traffic but they account for more car accidents and serious injuries. This can be attributed to;
- speeding
- drunk driving
- less seat belt usage among rural drivers
- lack of accurate maps or signs
- blind curves
- hidden driveway animal crossing
- little to no streetlights
Rural areas can also have many unanticipated surprises such as potholes and crossing livestock. You’re more likely to see other drivers in golf carts, recreational vehicles, and possibly even heavy machinery on the road. These factors can lead to slower driving and some of these vehicles are not equipped with safety features like airbags. It is unlikely to see these vehicles in the winter, but when you find yourself driving slowly behind them, remember to remain patient and when passing, make sure there is enough room for both of you.
City Driving
On the other hand, city roads are a different beast compared to rural driving. Drivers are more 
anxious to drive in a city due to heavy traffic, narrower streets and the herds of pedestrians and cyclists. City-dwellers often find themselves in bumper-to-bumper traffic with little to no alternate routes as there are lots of one-way roads. In heavy traffic, make sure you keep calm. Don’t honk, make gestures, or try to cut people off. It’s not worth it to risk a car accident only to arrive to your destination a couple minutes earlier.
Make sure to watch out for crosswalks since they are more common in metropolitan areas. Pedestrians may not always be paying attention and an accident with one can oftentimes be deadly.
You will also have to watch out for regular lane and speed limit changes. Cities offer consistent safety warning signs with street lights, medians, speed bumps and emergency response times-pay attention to them!
Lastly, especially if you are in a new location, try to plan out your drive ahead of time to prevent an avoidable accident.
Contact Us
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in a rural or city area, you may be entitled to compensation. We offer free initial consultation so give us a call at (804)-415-7800 or visit us online.