Overview
- Analysis of official data shows 9,887 people died on rural roads in the past decade, including more than 1,100 in the South West, with 956 rural deaths in 2024 versus 555 on urban roads.
- Per-mile fatality rates were higher on countryside routes in 2024 at 6.3 deaths per billion miles, compared with 4.7 on urban roads and 1.3 on motorways.
- An NFU Mutual survey found 38% of London respondents had been in a rural-road collision versus 23% elsewhere, while 75% of Londoners felt prepared to drive on country lanes.
- Nearly a third of motorists said they rarely or never drove on rural roads while learning, and strong majorities backed more rural-specific training for learners and a safety awareness course for rural-road offenders.
- The government is preparing a national road safety strategy that could include a lower drink-drive limit, compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70, penalty points for passengers’ seatbelt breaches, and tougher uninsured-driver penalties.