Rural Road Safety Tips

In many cases a lot of emphasis is put on highway safety and major road safety while rural road safety is ignored or forgotten. Safety on the rural roads is just as important as on any other type of road. In fact, it may even be more important due to the conditions of these roads which tend to be poorly lit and poorly maintained. Several safety measures can be put up on these roads to make them safer for everyone using them.

One road safety measure that should exist on these roads that tend to be very dark is the existence of retro reflective signs. Drivers are not able to see clearly what is coming towards their high beams. For example, drivers are not able to see a 90 degree turn ahead on these dark roads. In such cases, a simple sign that warns them of the turn can help them drive safely.

Another way of keeping the rural roads safe is by putting up temporary water over signs to warn drivers of the water hazards. Many roads are built on marshy or low areas and hence they tend to experience flooding or get washed out when there are heavy rains. Drivers need to drive slowly on such roads, but most of them do not see the hazards and end up hitting the water at high speeds. Temporary signs can be put up to alert them on the danger and make them drive slowly.

In case the flooding is a common problem on the rural road, permanent hazard markers can be put up to warn drivers at all times. These can also be installed on areas that have steep ravines or other dangerous areas that drivers need to be aware of. Simple poles and reflectors can be installed to indicate the edge of the roadways both at night and during the day.

Rural road safety needs to be emphasized as much as the highway safety or major roads safety. Certain conditions on the rural roads such as flooding, poor lighting, twists and turns, and poor road maintenance make them more dangerous than the well-lit and highly maintained freeways and major roads. Correct signage combined with alert, undistracted driving skills can keep drivers safe on rural roads.

By: Morgan Ambrose