A car accident can occur anywhere. Yet, some roads in Texas seem to be more treacherous than others. This includes rural roads, where dangers can lurk around nearly every corner. In fact, a study released late last year found that for 2022, Texas had the most rural roadway accident fatalities, with nearly 1,500 deaths. It’s also been found that rural road accident deaths are nearly twice as high as those that occur on other roadways.
Too many Texans are unaware of the risks posed by these rural roads, too, or they simply push them to the back of their mind while driving, which in turn can lead to a devastating wreck that reshapes their lives for a long time to come. We don’t want that to happen to you. That’s why in this post we want to look at why car accidents are more common outside of Texas’s major cities. Hopefully then you’ll have a better idea of how to keep yourself safe out on the rural roads you drive.
The hidden dangers of Texas’s rural roads
Rural roads in Texas can pose a whole host of risks. Here are some of the most common and most dangerous that you’ll want to be aware of moving forward so that you can protect yourself as fully as possible:
- Lack of light: Without streetlights or structures nearby, Texas’s rural roads can be completely dark at night. This can make it challenging to see road hazards and use your peripheral vision. It can reduce the amount of time you have to react to a dangerous situation, too, which can leave you in a position where there isn’t enough time to slow down or take evasive maneuvers to avoid a wreck.
- Higher rates of speed: With reduced traffic, open straightaways and higher speed limits, rural roadways are prime targets for speeding. But with increased speed comes increased risk. Driving too fast can make it easier for a vehicle to get out of control, and it can increase the distance needed to safely slow down or stop for a hazard. A higher rate of speed can also increase the severity of an accident, if one were to occur.
- Distraction and inattentiveness: Texas’s wide-open rural roads can easily lead to highway hypnosis and other forms of distraction and inattention. But taking one’s eyes off the road for even a split second can be dangerous. Those who are distracted or inattentive behind the wheel can fail to recognize dangerous conditions, which might make it hard for them to take appropriate action to avoid a crash.
- Narrow roads: Some rural roads are narrow and lack lane markings. This forces drivers to be especially cautious, which doesn’t always happen. In these circumstances, it’s all too easy for a wayward driver to cross into oncoming traffic or veer off the road only to overcorrect back into oncoming traffic.
- Wildlife: Animals can scurry out onto Texas’s rural roads without any notice, taking drivers by surprise. With little time to react, these situations can lead to serious wreck.
How can you stay safe on rural roads?
Your best bet is to slow down and keep your eyes on the road. This will ensure that you can spot a dangerous when one comes up, and that you’ll have time to appropriately react. That said, if you wind up hurt in a wreck that occurs on a rural road, then you might want to think about taking legal action against the driver who hurt you. A successful personal injury lawsuit could lead to the recovery of much needed compensation, as well as closure on what could be a dark chapter in your life. So, if you’re ready to learn more about what you can do to protect your interests, then now is the time to start gathering evidence and considering what you can do to aggressively advocate for yourself in one of these cases.
