Shock new figures show 70% more deaths on rural roads

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Tue, 10 Dec 2024

Analysis of new Department for Transport figures shows there are 70% more deaths on rural roads than urban highways.  

Rural insurance expert NFU Mutual has crunched the numbers, which reveal collisions on rural roads are around four times more likely to result in a fatality.

That’s an average of one death in every 32 collisions, compared to 1 in every 122 on urban roads.

Rural road fatalities for people traveling in cars and vans totalled 559 in 2023, compared to 147 urban fatalities.

NFU Mutual says the figures reflect a persistent trend of disproportionate danger on rural roads and the tragic and avoidable loss of hundreds of lives each year in the UK’s countryside.

"Rural roads are the arteries of our countryside, vital to the rural economy and serving to connect us to all the benefits of the great outdoors," says NFU Mutual chief executive Nick Turner.

"Every road user has a responsibility to protect themselves and others, but the disparity in safety between urban and rural roads, and the higher risk shouldered by vulnerable road users, suggests that more can be done."

This is despite the Highway Code being amended in January 2022 to include a ‘hierarchy of road users’. A survey this summer suggested more than 4 in 10 drivers are still unaware of it.

To help tackle the heightened risks on rural roads, the insurer has teamed up with farming unions, ROSPA and other partners to create a Code for Countryside Roads.

It provides a clear guide on how people should use rural roads, says NFU Mutual.

The 28-page Code, which is free to download, is based on feedback from over 700 members of the public and aims to highlight the unique hazards on rural roads that are not experienced in urban areas.  

These include higher speed limits, high-speed corners and junctions, blind corners, junctions or field entrances, poor road condition, mud on the road and vulnerable road users such as walkers or horse riders.

They require a specific set of skills and awareness that the new guide aims to highlight.

"We hope it will steer a course to safer rural roads for all," says Turner.

Ask HJ

What used small SUV for rural roads would you recommend?

We require a replacement vehicle after our Ford Fiesta Active was written off. We live in rural North Wales on a small holding and travel 8k miles a year mainly on rural /hilly roads with longer journeys 3/4 times a year. My wife has lost confidence since the accident and wants a taller/ more visible car than the Fiesta but doesn't want a big 4x4 SUV. Main considerations but reliable, good handling on our narrower roads, comfortable, keeps value and easy to service would be ideal. Our budget is £12k to £15k.

The Ford Puma, SEAT Arona and VW T-Cross are among our favourite small SUVs, so we would suggest looking at what works for you in terms of the availability of servicing, but also in terms of value for money.

Answered by David Ross

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