Traveling on rural roads might seem like a safe option. Typically, roads roads that crisscross the countryside see far less traffic overall than roads in urban centers. However, less traffic does not automatically mean fewer crashes with tragic outcomes.
In fact, a recent review of crash statistics in New Mexico shows that the opposite is actually true. Many of the most dangerous counties for motorists are rural areas with lower population densities.
What do state traffic statistics reveal?
Looking at just the number of crashes in an area can give an inaccurate image of the risk on the road. It is important to consider the number of crashes compared to the people who live nearby.
A review of fatalities showed that Torrance County was the deadliest in the state when adjusting the number of fatal crashes based on local population. Torrance County saw 25.7 fatal crashes per 10,000 licensed drivers between 2017 and 2021. The second-highest rate of fatal crashes was in Cibola County, where there were 23.2 fatal crashes per 10,000 residents.
Socorro County saw 18.2 fatal crashes per 10,000 residents, while Sierra County saw 16.5 crashes per 10,000 residents. McKinley County topped the list of fatal crashes based on the total number of collisions reported but only took fourth place on the list after adjusting those crashes based on population.
Why are rural roads dangerous?
There are several reasons that rural roads may be more dangerous than urban roads. One important consideration is the speed limit on the road. Rural roads often have higher speed limits because of the lower density of residential units.
Higher speeds mean a greater possibility of deadly collisions between vehicles or between a vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist. Another factor is that people behave differently in situations where they expect less traffic. They may pay less attention to their surroundings or drive in less safe ways because they don’t expect to cross paths with many other drivers or police officers.
For example, many intoxicated drivers may take out-of-the-way roads home to avoid urban roads where they expect to encounter police officers. Even road maintenance can be a concern, as rural counties may have less to invest in maintaining roads and may be less likely to hear promptly about new potholes and other damage to road surfaces.
Understanding that car crash risk is actually higher in rural areas can help drivers make better safety choices regarding when, where and how they drive. Those involved in major collisions on rural roads may need to pursue an insurance claim or consider filing a lawsuit in cases involving substantial injuries or family tragedies.