Everything about countryside driving in the UK
Many people often say that driving in the countryside is a great privilege because of the beautiful wildlife and nature that's out there. What comes with a beautiful environment, also comes great risks.
Are countryside roads safer than city roads?
Driving in the countryside is quite a different experience since the road layout and driver expectations are totally different. In a city, you're likely to be familiar with every street and traffic pattern. This isn't as true in the countryside, where you need to learn new driving skills.
On safety, it is said that the further you get from cities, the safer a journey is. There are limited traffic lights (if any), less pedestrians and fewer vehicles on the road than in a city. With less traffic lights, pedestrians and vehicles, the chances of a collision or risk is also significantly lowered.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to safety in the countryside, however, if you're driving off the beaten track, you may have to deal with traffic jams. In such circumstances, it's important that you're able to merge sensibly or just pass on by safely. In urban areas, drivers are all used to the same traffic pattern.
It's also important to remember that as you move further out of an urban area or city centre, there is a greater likelihood of encountering animals on the road. This makes it more important to be alert and avoid collisions.
Is it easier to drive in the countryside than in the city?
The general consensus is that it's easier to drive in the countryside. This is because there are less hazards, such as pedestrians and cyclists. As mentioned above, cars can pass with greater ease. Another good reason for driving in the countryside is that the roads are sometimes wider making it easier to pass and give other drivers more room when needed, however this isn't always the case.
Which road signs are you likely to see in the countryside?
There are some road signs you may see in the countryside that you wouldn't be likely to see in an urban area. If you see signs that say "Cattle Crossing" or "Pedestrians Crossing", you're almost certainly in the countryside. These types of signs are more common on rural roads than urban ones.
- Animal warnings
On most rural roads, you'll see animals and other wildlife on the road or on the side of the road. Obviously, their presence and movement are not limited to rural roads, but many rural roads have no or very few streetlamps. As such, night driving is not advisable in these roads, unless you're fully confident with your night driving skills, with the risks involved.
- Farms and tractors signs
The farm/tractor sign usually indicates that a tractor frequently uses the road that you're travelling on, therefore you may experience it. Tractors and other farm vehicles are often sluggish so you must watch yours and their speed when approaching one.
- Bumps in the road sign
Bumps are found in the countryside, like in the city, but more often. Since countryside roads are less driven on, the attention is also not high in these areas, but rather in the city. As countryside roads aren't improved often enough, the conditions will be rougher, especially with the bumps. These signs will alert you of an upcoming bump or series of bumps, which you should slow down and carefully drive over.
- Narrow roads
These signs indicate that the narrow section of the road is about to begin. The vehicle must drive carefully to avoid any possible collision. Narrow roads are tight, meaning your vehicle is more likely to fall off into the side of the road, or clash with another car on the other side of the road.
5. Hills
You may or may not have experienced a steep hill but it puts your driving skills to the test. Going down it feels smooth but you must control your speed to avoid sliding down it like a water slide. Going up the hill is the real challenge, especially if there's lights or traffic causing you to stop in place. You must really be careful when you approach these hills, as they can be very dangerous to you and other drivers.
Conclusion
Although countryside driving is seen as fun and calming, you have different risks to watch out for, that may not be known in the city. With fewer traffic lights, vehicles and pedestrians, you have it easier in that regard, however, you become faced with new risks, such as animals, farm vehicles, bumps in the road, narrow roads and more.