Many different factors can play a role in a deadly car accident, from drunk driving to speed, distractions and road conditions. It is critical for drivers to review data on accidents in order to understand the risks and prioritize prevention. For example, some drivers let their guards down in rural areas because they think the roads are much safer in comparison to cities.
It is crucial to go over data on accidents in urban and rural areas.
Statistics on fatal accidents on urban and rural roads
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sheds light on the prevalence of deadly traffic collisions in urban as well as rural places. In 2020, over 38,800 people lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions. Accidents on urban roads claimed the lives of 21,650 people, representing 56% of deaths. In rural areas, 16,665 traffic accident fatalities occurred in 2020, making up 43% of traffic accident fatalities.
Between 2019 and 2020, traffic crash fatalities on rural roads went up 2%, while deadly accidents on urban roads went up 9%.
Fatal accident risks on urban and rural roads
Both urban and rural environments present risk factors associated with fatal traffic collisions. Urban roads can become very chaotic due to the presence of many vehicles and people rushing to work. Sometimes, people speed in rural areas and have a false sense of security because they do not see many cars around. Rural roads can present other risks, such as wildlife.
Tragically, far too many people lose their lives in both of these environments.
