Many motorists assume summer is one of the safer times to be on the road with longer daylight hours, better weather and fewer challenging driving conditions.
But with the summer holiday season beginning this weekend for many visitors to Wales the challenges of switching from urban roads to country lanes can be daunting as well as dangerous with unexpected hazards facing them.
Now, research from car insurance provider Ageas suggests that summer presents its own set of road safety risks, particularly as more drivers take to rural roads.
Analysing 25 years of Department for Transport collision data, Ageas examined how collision patterns change throughout the year. While rural roads account for around a third of collisions overall, this figure rises steadily throughout summer, reaching its peak in August, when 38.1% of all recorded collisions occur on rural routes.
Jonathan Price, Managing Director for the direct business at Ageas UK, said, “For many people, summer means days out, holidays and exploring places they don’t normally drive. And in an attempt to avoid traffic, cap maps can end up re-routing you down narrow, winding, rural roads.
“Country roads can feel quieter and less intimidating than busy town centres, but they’re often less forgiving. Higher speed limits, sharp bends, hidden junctions and limited opportunities to recover from mistakes all increase the consequences if something goes wrong.
“However, the important message isn’t that people should avoid rural roads altogether. It’s that they should recognise the change in driving environment. Slowing down for bends, expecting cyclists, walkers, horse riders and farm vehicles, and leaving plenty of time for journeys can all make a real difference.”
With this in mind, Ageas have shared five hidden hazards of rural roads, to make sure motorists are fully prepared when travelling on unfamiliar routes.
Expect vulnerable road users
Country roads aren’t just for cars. Cyclists, walkers, horse riders and runners can appear suddenly around bends or on narrow stretches without pavements, so always be prepared to slow down.
Watch out for debris
Fallen branches, mud, loose stones and other debris are common on rural roads, particularly near farms and after bad weather. Keeping your speed down gives you more time to react safely.
Don’t rely on roadside protection
Unlike major roads, rural routes often have few crash barriers, limited road markings and little room for error if you leave the carriageway. Rural roads also tend to be much narrower, often just 1 or 1.5 carriageways wide, meaning you’ll often be driving in the middle of the road. Stay well within a speed that allows you to stop safely.
Be alert for poor road surfaces
Potholes, uneven surfaces and worn road edges are more common on country lanes than urban roads. Scan the road ahead and avoid sudden steering or braking where possible. Also, pay attention to the location of passing spaces, in case you need to move over to let oncoming traffic past.
Don’t let quiet roads encourage higher speeds
Empty roads can create a false sense of security, but bends, hidden junctions and changing road conditions mean the national speed limit is often not a safe speed. Drive to what you can see, not simply the posted limit.
