Rural road deaths surge to 4-year high as new Code in pipeline

A Code for Countryside Roads is in the pipeline after rural road deaths surge to a four-year high, with over 1,000 people losing their lives last year.

The figure is included in a new report showing the disparity between rural and urban road deaths, with fatalities 72% higher in the countryside.

In response, NFU Mutual has announced plans for a Code for Countryside Roads to bring together expert knowledge and advice to make rural roads safer.

Accidents on rural roads are around four times more likely to result in a fatality, the rural insurer said in its new report.