Research from the THINK!, the road safety charity suggests that the UK’s country roads are amongst our most dangerous.
Britain has a network of country roads and lanes spanning thousands of miles; they are essential for rural access as well as being an attraction for motoring enthusiasts looking for beautiful scenery and winding tracks. However for all their positives, they hold some of the greatest dangers to motorists.
60% of all road deaths occur on rural roads and many drivers have expressed concerns that they have had near misses when encountering unseen hazards (40%). A third of people said that they had taken a corner too quickly when not knowing what danger lurks round the bend and a quarter said they had been witness to a close call on country road where a collision looked likely.
THINK! Are now appealing to rural road users to take more care and reduce speed to a point where they can stop within the distance they can see to be clear. They say that the most frequent causes of accidents are driving too fast or losing control of the vehicle.
Robert Goodwill, Road Safety Minister, said: ‘Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world, but most people don't know that motorists are nearly eleven times more likely to die in an accident on a country road than on a motorway. On average three people die each day on country roads and these are needless tragedies.‘
I want the public to understand these risks and adapt their driving to the conditions they face. That is why the new THINK! Country Road Campaign is so important – we are urging drivers to read the road ahead, select a safe speed and brake before the bend.’
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