Fatalities are more likely on rural roads than urban roads, and rural fatalities are more likely to involve trucks, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study.
The agency recently issued “Contrasting Rural and Urban Fatal Crashes: 1994-2003,” an update of a 1996 report. Using Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, the researchers learned 42 percent more fatal crashes happen on rural roads than urban, despite an average of fewer vehicle miles traveled on country roads. Rural fatalities also have a greater likelihood of rollovers and multiple deaths.
In rural areas, large trucks were involved in 37 percent of fatal crashes, compared to only 30 percent in urban areas. Light trucks, meanwhile, were involved in 10 percent of fatal crashes in rural areas, compared to only 6 percent in urban areas.
Other findings:
