Enhancing Rural Road Safety for Older Adults

An image of an open, rural road with a blue sky background

Rural Road Safety Awareness Week (RRSAW) is July 15-19 and the theme is, “Life Between the Lines: Reducing Roadway Departures.” 

Organized by the National Center for Rural Road Safety (the Center), RRSAW is a time to focus on rural road safety and highlight resources that help rural road practitioners and stakeholders achieve safety, while raising awareness of the unique road safety challenges rural communities experience.

Rural roads offer beautiful landscapes and peaceful surroundings, but older drivers can discover challenges while navigating the roadways. For example, winding roads, unexpected animal crossings, lack of lighting and visibility, and infrastructure issues can create driving obstacles for older drivers that can interfere with road safety.

During RRSAW, the Clearinghouse for Older Road User Safety (ChORUS) joins the Center to promote safety tips and resources for older road users in rural communities.

“Older drivers in rural communities are especially susceptible to crash injuries—both from a driver and pedestrian perspective,” said Jaime Sullivan, director of the Center. “For 2024 RRSAW, we are raising awareness about rural roadway departures and offering guidance on what practitioners and everyday drivers can do to not depart from their lanes.”

“By simply staying within their lanes, drivers can preserve the lives of 30 people in the U.S. each day,” Sullivan added.

This Rural Road Safety Week, explore resources, tools, and tips for safer driving. Visit ruralsafetycenter.org/rural-road-safety-awareness-week-2024 to learn more.

Tips & Resources

Ensuring safety on rural roads is a shared responsibility involving individual road users and entire communities. Below are considerations to keep in mind when driving in rural communities and tips tailored to older adults’ driving safety in rural communities.  

Navigating Rural Roads--Considerations to Keep in Mind

  1. Limited Visibility and Lighting: Many rural roads lack adequate street lighting, making nighttime driving difficult for older adults who might already experience reduced night vision.
  2. Winding Roads: Rural roads are often narrow and winding, increasing the risk of crashes. This can present risks for older adults who may have slower reaction times.
  3. Wildlife and Livestock: Encounters with wildlife and livestock are more frequent on rural roads. These can cause sudden stops or swerves, unexpected traffic, and collisions.
  4. Infrastructure: Potholes, unpaved sections, and inadequately maintained roads can be challenging for all drivers. A lack of clear signage and road markings can also create challenges, showing the importance of raising awareness for rural roads and communities.

Tips for Safer Rural Driving

  1. Stay Alert and Reduce Speed: Remain vigilant and reduce speed on rural roads. This allows more time to react to unexpected obstacles or changes in road conditions, especially in inclement weather.
  2. Use High Beams Mindfully: When driving at night, high beams can improve visibility but should be switched to low beams when approaching oncoming traffic to avoid interfering with other drivers’ vision.
  3. Watch for Wildlife: While animal crossings can happen at any part of the day, be especially cautious during dawn, dusk, and throughout the night.  
  4. Know Your Route: Plan your route ahead of your trip, especially if driving in an unfamiliar rural area. GPS devices and maps can be helpful but always be prepared for areas with poor signal reception.
  5. Regular Vehicle Maintenance: Keep your vehicle in good driving condition by regularly scheduling maintenance check-ups on brakes, tires, and lights.
  6. Communicate with Locals: Engage with local communities to understand specific road conditions and potential hazards in the area.
  7. Be a Voice in Your Community: Promote alternative transportation initiatives and be active with local community organizations to explore options in your area.
  8. Always Practice Good Driver Behavior: Drive safe speeds, wear your seatbelt, and never drive distracted/under the influence.

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