Introduction

Highway fatalities are a major epidemic in this country; and most occur on rural roads involving rural residents. Only one-fifth of the Nation’s population lives in rural areas, yet two-fifths of the vehicle miles traveled and three-fifths of all fatal crashes occur there. In 2004, 59 percent (24,975) of the 42,636 people who died in motor vehicle crashes were traveling on rural roads. This includes drivers, occupants, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and pedalcyclists. The percentage rises to 65 percent when looking only at rural passenger vehicle fatalities: 20,302 occupants killed in passenger cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) on rural roads. Of these, 54 percent (11,043) were unrestrained – not using a seat belt or child safety seat at the time of the crash.
As these statistics point out, motorists in America are at high risk. Studies show that people have crashes where they live, and by implication, where they drive: rural residents crash on rural roads and urban residents crash on urban roads.¹ More than half of those killed are unrestrained, signifying the overwhelming need for traffic safety programs in rural areas. Progress is being made, as noted in the examples of rural seat belt programs highlighted in this document. Whether you are a local official, service provider, or concerned community representative, consider the toll traffic crashes are having on your community and please take the initiative to do something about it.

¹ Blatt, J., and Furman, S.M. Residence Location of Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 1998, 30 (6), 705-711. www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/research/ruralz.htm