Rural roads present a unique set of challenges for drivers - narrow lanes, blind bends, hidden hazards, and unpredictable road conditions. Despite their scenic beauty, these roads are among the most dangerous in the UK, with a higher rate of serious incidents compared to urban roads.
At IAM RoadSmart, we’re committed to helping drivers develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate rural roads safely and efficiently.
Here are some rural driving tips to get you started:
1. Adjust Your Speed
Many rural roads have sharp bends and limited visibility. Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see ahead.
2. Be Aware of Hidden Hazards
Watch out for concealed entrances, slow-moving farm vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
3. Stay in Control on Bends
Reduce your speed before entering a bend and accelerate gently as you exit to maintain control.
4. Use Your Horn When Necessary
On narrow, winding lanes with limited visibility, or on a humpback bridge a quick beep can alert oncoming traffic to your presence but remember to allow time for a response.
5. Beware of Wildlife and Livestock
Rural roads often pass through farmland, so be prepared for animals crossing unexpectedly. Smaller wildlife may be on the road, treat them with respect it is us who are the visitors.
6. Drive Considerately
If a driver behind you wants to overtake, allow them to do so safely when appropriate. Be mindful of horse riders and cyclists and give them plenty of space.
How can our courses help?
Whether you’re a seasoned driver or looking to refresh your skills, our driving courses can make a real difference to your safety and confidence on rural roads.
Advanced Driver Course
Our Advanced Driver course is more than just a driving course - it’s an investment in your safety and confidence. Through a series of one-to-one coaching sessions with a qualified volunteer, you’ll learn advanced observation techniques, including how to anticipate hazards early, and how to handle bends and narrow lanes with confidence. By the end, you’ll feel more in control, better prepared, and more confident in your driving abilities.
Explore our Advanced Driver Course
Driving Skills Refresher
Our Driving Skills Refresher provides tailored guidance to sharpen your rural driving techniques in a short, personalised session. It will help you fine-tune your observation skills, improve hazard awareness, and gain confidence when driving on country roads.
Explore our Driving Skills Refresher
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Press Release: The Dangers of Diverting to Rural Roads
Recent research highlights how drivers are taking dangerous risks by diverting onto unfamiliar and hazardous rural roads to avoid motorway congestion. Read our latest press release to learn more about this concerning trend and how IAM RoadSmart is raising awareness of rural road safety.
Read The Full Release
Explore our range of materials to enhance your rural driving skills:
The Hierarchy of Road Users
Sharing with Cyclists
Sitting Comfortably
Powdery Check - Car
Video: Understanding the
Hierarchy of Road Users
Video: Observation, Anticipation
and Planning
Video: How To Effectively
Manage Distractions
Hints and Tips:
Passing A Horse Safely - Horses are powerful animals and have extremely heightened senses, so passing them in a car or on a motorbike needs to be done safely to protect the horse, rider, and yourself.
Taking The Rural Road - IAM RoadSmart member Denis Cartmel, who has made his career from teaching others to drive tractors safely, offers his insight into the world of driving agricultural vehicles and some of the key aspects other road users should be aware of.
Driving Safely on Country Lanes - The key piece of advice for driving on country roads is to remember the environment you are in. And perhaps the second biggest piece of advice is, don’t swerve to miss animals or birds that might run or fly out in front of you…
Taking on The Countryside - Rural roads are major and minor roads outside our towns and cities, and at times they can be difficult to navigate. Many of them are narrow, with blind bends and limited safe places to pass, and have no pavement or cycle paths.
About IAM RoadSmart
IAM RoadSmart is the UK’s leading road safety charity. With over 60 years of experience, we coach and educate road users, campaign for change and make journeys safer for everyone.
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