Increased Rural Vehicular Mortality Rates: Roadways With Higher Speed Limits or Excessive Vehicular Speed?

Abstract

Vehicular speeding occurs with significantly higher frequency in rural settings. This imparts a greater overall vehicular mortality rate. At higher rates of speed, mortality rates for travel above the posted speed limit are similar in rural and urban settings; however, mortality rates for travel within the posted speed limit are greater in rural settings. This suggests factors beyond higher and excessive vehicular speed impart higher rates in rural settings.