Drivers are being warned to steer clear of risky rural roads unless essential, so that they don’t increase the burden on the NHS by being involved in a fatal or serious crash.
The warning comes from road safety charity Brake after people across the UK flocked to the countryside over the weekend, increasing traffic levels on the roads which carry the most risk of death and serious injury.
Figures show that rural roads are the most dangerous roads in Britain, with more than half (58%) of all road deaths occurring on them. In 2018, 1,030 people were killed on rural roads – an average of three people every day, with government data also showing that car users are more than three times more likely to be killed, and a third more likely to be seriously injured, on rural roads compared to urban roads.
Crashes on rural roads are often speed related, such as collisions at intersections, head-on collisions or running off the road.
In addition, single-carriageway rural roads, of which there are many leading to the UK’s beauty spots, pose a particular risk as they are often narrow, with blind bends, no pavements or cycle paths and with traffic travelling at high speeds, head-on, with no carriageway separation.
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, commented: “In times of national crisis we must all come together and do what we can to help keep everyone safe. Unless absolutely essential, we urge everyone to stop driving on our risky rural roads to the countryside – you are putting yourself at increased risk of being killed or injured in a road crash and of adding to the burden on our NHS. We would advise everyone to stay at home and stay safe, but if you absolutely must travel, stay well within the speed limit and be aware of unexpected hazards at all times.”
