When you learn to drive there are many things to look out for and be aware of on the roads in order to ensure that you are driving legally and safely. There are also lots of signs and vehicle markings like these chapter 8 chevrons https://www.vehiclechevrons.com to be aware of.
Something that many people find challenging when they are driving, and even many experienced drivers often struggle with, is driving around the roads in rural areas. Rural roads and country lanes can be a dangerous place to drive if you are not aware of what to do and how to drive around them – in fact, more people have accidents on country roads than they do on motorways.
To ensure that you can handle rural driving, here are some of the things to be aware of…
Speed – First and foremost, make sure that you are driving at a sensible speed on these types of roads. Despite the fact that most rural lanes have a national speed limit, it is certainly not something that you would be advised to drive at. As well as the fact that you do not have as much visibility around winding country lanes, you may need to stop for oncoming traffic, animals or other vehicles so doing a sensible speed reduces the risk of a collision.
Passing Places – Many of the country lanes in the UK are not wide enough for two vehicles to pass one another. You may also encounter larger vehicles used for farming, as these vehicles will be working in the area, so it is important to keep an eye out for passing places and be aware that it may be necessary for you to have to reverse back into a place so that other vehicles are able to go past you safely.
Weather – Certain types of weather can make country lanes more dangerous. In snowy and icy conditions, it is unlikely that the more rural roads will have been gritted, so be aware of this and drive with extra care if you are using them in the very cold weather. Flooding can also be an issue in some areas, and if you are not sure of the depth of the water, do not attempt to go through it.
