Nearly Half of U.S. Traffic Deaths Occur on Rural Roads

“In a 73-page study released last week by the Governor's Highway Safety Association, America’s Rural Roads: Beautiful and Deadly, researchers found that about 48% of U.S. traffic deaths occurred on rural roads from 2016-20 even though only about 19% of the population lives in rural areas.” Ed Blazina, writing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, outlines the study’s findings.

Common causes of crashes are similar to those in urban areas, which continue to grow in most U.S. cities: “distractions, impaired driving, speeding and not wearing seat belts.” But Blazina notes that these tend to occur at higher rates in rural areas.

In 2020, drivers taking a trip the same length were 62% more likely to die if they were in a rural area rather than an urban area, the study said. A total of 85,002 people died on rural roads in the five-year period, nearly half of all traffic deaths across the country.

Blazina continues, “The study cites a number of reasons that lead to drivers exhibiting risky behavior, including open roads, less law enforcement, longer trips for necessities, limited emergency response from farther away and fewer public transit options.”

The article also details the demographics of fatal rural crashes as compared to urban ones. For example, “More drivers and passengers in cars, trucks and vans died in rural areas (68,709 to 56,998) but urban areas led in deaths involving motorcycles (15,390 to 9,310), pedestrians (25,551 to 5,766) and bicycles (3,375 to 952).” Young people between 20 and 24 face a risk of dying on rural roads twice that of urban youth.

According to the study, “Clearly, a holistic approach is needed to address the rural road safety problem — one that includes both behavioral and infrastructure safety.” Among other infrastructure fixes, curve warnings and high-friction surfaces are two “particularly effective” tools for reducing crashes.  “The study recommends that states stress the ‘safe system’ approach in rural areas: safe vehicles, safe roads, safe speeds, safe road users and post-crash care.” The report also suggests reducing speed limits, particularly in areas with limited access to medical facilities.