Are you driving to the countryside to enjoy a holiday this year? In 2023, 63 per cent of Britain’s planned a domestic holiday (otherwise known as “staycation”), willing to risk our famously temperamental weather to enjoy everything the UK has to offer.
Given that we all share a relatively small set of islands with nationwide rules, it can be easy to assume that there won’t be anything to prepare for in terms of driving – unlike, for example, going somewhere you’ll have to drive on the opposite side of the road, or that has a distinct local driving culture.
Navigating rural roads, however, can be quite different for those accustomed to urban driving (and vice versa!). There are some unfamiliar line markings and road signs to contend with, and often markedly different road conditions. Breaking the Highway Code – even unwittingly – can result in an eye-watering £1000 fine, but more importantly, it will increase your chance of being involved in an accident. This, even if not serious, will certainly cast a shadow on any holiday.
How can driving on rural roads be different?
Spending some time pootling around Britain’s rural roads can be extremely pleasant, especially for passengers who are free to enjoy all the natural beauty around them. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, however, urban drivers need to be alert to the particular dangers of rural roads. Research demonstrates that 60% of all driving fatalities occur out of town, with the number of people killed on country roads nearly 11 times higher than that on motorways.
It can be difficult to imagine why this might be the case – cars travel at very high speeds on motorways and one moment of inattention can cause a major accident – but rural roads have many hidden perils. For instance, a driver may take a sharp and unexpected bend too fast, encounter wildlife in their path, or lose control of their vehicle because of wet mud on the road.
Simpler driving infrastructure also means that rural drivers need to use their own judgment. For example, many rural roads are changeable, with some stretches wide enough for two cars to pass each other before narrowing into a single lane – and these kinds of roads can be set at the national speed limit. Driving down a road where you risk meeting an oncoming vehicle it’s impossible to avoid at 60 mph would be extremely inadvisable, so people unused to rural roads should pay extra attention to the road conditions around them.
If you are setting off to the countryside, here are some other things to bear in mind:
Get ready to reverse
Single-lane tracks are very common all over the countryside, and in counties such as Cornwall, they may be lined with “hedges” – stone walls that are covered in vegetation. Very often, in order to get to a passing place, you will need to reverse your car, and the etiquette is that the person closest to a passing place should be the one to reverse (except on a hill, where the Highway Code states that drivers should give way to those coming uphill where they can).
Don’t always trust your navigation systems
While generally reliable, navigation systems will always favour what they interpret to be the “quickest” route – and with so many small country roads set at the national speed limit, this can be misleading. Where possible, plan your route ahead of time and ask locals for advice, and remember you may not always get sufficient internet connection for navigation systems to work.
This is another area where using your own judgement can be helpful. If the SatNav/Google Maps wants to take you off a main trunk road that is signposted to your destination in order to go down a tiny lane, you’ll probably find you’ll be better served staying on the main route. Rest assured, however, if you do get lost, that even in remote areas roads tend to be well signposted, and people will be happy to help you find your way.
Be careful of animals in the road
Animals are a key hazard for road users wherever you drive (as even swerving out of the way of a cat can cause an accident) but are particularly prevalent in the countryside. It’s not unusual for livestock to escape from their fields, while wildlife such as deer can jump from verges into the path of oncoming vehicles. Maintaining a sensible speed and staying alert will help you make the safest driving decisions possible should you find yourself encountering any of our feathery or four-legged friends.
Keep an eye on signs and road markings
It’s advisable to brush up on your road signs before heading off into the countryside, as you’re likely to see signs you may not often encounter at home. For example, you should be aware of signs for:
- National speed limit
- Animal crossing
- Horse and rider
- Low/weak bridge or ford
- Road narrowing ahead
In terms of road markings, if there is no centre line, this is usually indicative that there isn’t enough space for two cars to pass. You should also be aware of hazard warning lines, which appear when a hazard isn’t immediately obvious, and are often found when approaching junctions or a central refuge. They are similar in appearance to centre lines but with one key difference – the painted sections are longer in length than the broken unpainted stretches.
Remember that patience is a virtue
The most commonly reported contributory factor to being killed or seriously injured on country roads is motorists losing control, often because they are driving too fast for the conditions. From waiting for the best place to overtake when caught behind a tractor to being considerate to those riding horses, patience makes all the difference on rural roads, and is perhaps the most important way to ensure everyone’s safety.
It’s also important to be aware that many small villages have enforced speed limits of 20mph to increase the wellbeing of their residents. You should always abide by the speed limit, and keep in mind that if you were to drive quickly in a 20mph zone, you will be risking your license. As a general rule, if you’re caught travelling in excess of 45%-50% of the speed limit, you can be subject to an instant driving ban.
Taking things slowly and keeping your wits about you will help you read the road ahead and anticipate potential dangers. This means you can stay in control if a sudden obstacle or bend requires you to brake, or you come upon changes in the road surface that reduce friction (such as an overflowing stream pooling onto the tarmac).
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Escaping to the countryside to soak up the scenery is a wonderful way to enjoy a holiday, but for motorists, there are likely to be some unique driving challenges. This isn’t a cause for anxiety, but is something to bear in mind as you navigate country lanes. With a little bit of preparation and a healthy dose of caution, you can stay safe and keep your staycation memorable for all the right reasons.
