In some ways, country driving is easier than city driving. Traffic is generally lighter, and there are fewer pedestrians and not as many distractions. 

What Special Factors Affect Driving on Rural Roads?

When driving on rural roads, be especially alert for roadway conditions that limit your ability to see or maneuver.

• Road Conditions

Many rural roads are two lane, two way roadways. Curves may be sharper and hills may be steeper than on many city streets. Roads may have concrete, asphalt, gravel, or dirt surfaces, with or without a shoulder. At night many rural roads are poorly lit or not lit at all. Such road conditions can prove hazardous. Drivers must exercise special care when passing other vehicles and when driving on loose, low traction road surfaces. 

•  Higher Speed, Fewer Controls

Sound judgment is more important than ever when driving in rural areas. Country roads typically have higher speed limits than city streets. You’ll encounter fewer traffic lights and stop signs on rural roads than on city streets. At railroad crossings there may be no signs, signals, or gates. Drivers must be alert for traffic crossing the roadway.

• Slow Moving Vehicles

Tractors and other farm vehicles do not travel at the same speeds as cars do. As a result, drivers on rural roads often have to pass such slow moving vehicles. 

•  Sight obstructions

Trees, bushes, and tall crops growing close by the road all limit visibility for drivers on country roads. These obstructions can make driving even more challenging on narrow, winding, or sharply curving roads.

•  Animals and Objects on the Road

Deer, raccoons, cows, and other animals both wild and domestic, frequently cross rural roads. Other possible threatening conditions on rural roads include fallen rocks, tree branches, and wet leaves.

How Can You Manage Visibility, Time, and Space in Rural Driving?

Rural driving may seem more peaceful than urban driving but you must remain fully attentive at all times. Just as you would when driving on city streets, use the SIPDE process, and be ready to deal with the unexpected. 

• Guidelines for Managing Visibility in Rural Areas

Here are some guidelines to help you manage visibility on country roads. 

1. During the day, always drive with low beam headlights on. Use high beams at night on very dark roads when there are no other cars around. 
2. Scan ahead 20 to 30 seconds, looking for vehicles, pedestrians, animals, and objects on or near the roadway. If road or weather conditions limit your visual search time, reduce your speed. 
3. Identify objects or conditions 12 to 15 seconds ahead that may pose a danger. If you can’t see that far, slow down until your visual path clears. Be ready to cover your brake. 
4. Drive at a speed that will let you respond safely to threatening conditions that may just be over the hill or around a curve.
5. Don’t follow large vehicles so closely that they block your view of potential dangers. 
6. Always signal your intention to turn, to pull over, to pass, and to get back into your lane. 

• Guidelines for Managing Time in Rural Areas

Use these guidelines to help you manage time on rural roads.

1. Watch for slow moving vehicles. Adjust your speed as needed.
2. Reduce your speed as you approach intersections, particularly those without traffic control devices. Be prepared to slow down further or even stop. 
3. Allow extra time for driving on unfamiliar roads. Plan your route in advance. 
4. Reduce your speed when driving on gravel, dirt, or other low traction road surfaces. 
5. When approaching or passing an animal on or near the road, drive slowly in case the animal bolts across your path. 

• Guidelines for Managing Space in Rural Areas

Follow these guidelines for managing space on rural roads. 

1.  Adjust following distance for speed, traffic, roadway, and off road conditions that can affect your ability to see or to steer evasively. Identify an escape path.
2. If a vehicle is tailgating you, give it as much space as possible to pass and pull in front of you. If there’s a car ahead of you, increase your following distance.
3. On two lane roads, keep as much space as possible between your car and incoming traffic.
4. Never pass on any uphill grade when you don’t have a clear path ahead in which to complete the pass. 
5. As you search the road for vehicles, animals, or objects that could threaten your safety, weigh the consequences of acting to avoid the threat against the danger of collision.