Rural & Mountain Roads

Rural roads carry a fraction of the traffic but account for a large share of traffic deaths. Higher speeds on two-lane roads, sharp curves, few shoulders and long distances to a hospital all add up. Mountain roads add steep grades and drop-offs.

• All drivers
• Rural workers

Rural road hazards

• Sharp curves and hills that hide what’s ahead
• Narrow lanes, soft or no shoulders, steep ditches
• Gravel and dirt roads with loose surfaces and dust
• Farm equipment moving slowly and taking up the whole lane
• Deer and livestock, especially at dawn and dusk. See Animal Collisions
• Uncontrolled rail crossings. See Railroad Crossings
• Long response times for help, and no cell signal in places

Driving tips

• Slow down for curves before you enter them, and obey curve warning speeds.
• If your wheels drop off the pavement, don’t jerk the wheel. Ease off the gas, steer straight, and return to the road gradually when it’s safe.
• Pass only where you can see far enough ahead, and never on hills or curves.
• Farm equipment: look for the orange slow-moving vehicle triangle, slow down early, and pass only when it’s safe; tractors may turn left into fields without warning.
• Gravel: slow down, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking or steering.
• Seat belts: rural crashes are more often fatal, partly because people buckle up less. See Seat Belts & Airbags.

Mountain roads

• Going downhill, shift to a lower gear and let the engine help slow you. Riding the brakes can overheat them until they fail.
• Watch for runaway truck ramps, and never stop or park in them.
• On narrow roads, the vehicle going uphill generally has the right of way; the downhill driver backs up to a wide spot.
• Watch for rockfall, ice in shaded curves, and sudden weather changes. Carry chains where required. See Winter Driving.

Last updated: October 2, 2026