Many Australians have experienced rural and regional driving at some point in their life – whether for their daily commute, visiting family, or heading away for a break. And for some who may frequent regional roads more often, it can feel quieter and less stressful than city traffic.
But our research1 into Australian country road safety shows that rural driving presents a different set of risks. At Youi, we want everyone to understand the risks so they can make safer choices behind the wheel.
Country roads feel safe, for the most part
When Australians were asked how safe they feel driving on country roads, only 12% described them as “very safe”. Instead, over 2 in 5 (43%) Australians felt safe only when driving with care, and a further 1 in 3 (34%) said they simply felt “safe enough”.
This tells us something important: Drivers don’t see rural roads as dangerous by default, but they do believe safety depends heavily on how you drive.
Country roads often come with road conditions such as2:
- Narrower lanes and shoulders
- Fewer overtaking opportunities
- Long stretches requiring sustained concentration
- High speed limits, requiring more attention due to road bends, wildlife, and limited visibility
The biggest risks on country roads, ranked by respondents
When drivers were asked what contributes most to unsafe situations on country roads, speed ranked well above every other factor. 65% identified drivers travelling at unsafe speeds as a key contributor.
That’s significantly higher than concerns about:
- Poor road conditions (48%)
- Driver inexperience or unfamiliar roads (46%)
- Fatigue from long-distance driving (45%)
Speed is especially risky on country roads because hazards – like wildlife, slow-moving vehicles or sharp bends – often appear with little warning.
Concern about speeding is strongest among Baby Boomers, with 78% identifying it as a key risk.
While these factors were less likely contributors to unsafe situations on country roads, these concerns still ranked among the top three concerns for a fair number of Aussies:
- Limited visibility (42%) – such as bends, hills, and weather conditions.
- Unexpected hazards, such as debris or unusual road events (37%)
- Large or slow-moving vehicles, such as caravans, trucks and agricultural vehicles (36%)
These findings reveal that there are a number of factors that contribute to poorer safety on country roads. While some factors rank higher than others, feeling unsafe cannot be resolved by just fixing one individual element.
Unsafe driving is a regular experience on rural roads
According to Aussies, unsafe driving is commonplace on country roads. 29% of respondents encountered unsafe behaviour often, either weekly or more than once a week. An additional 30% say they encounter unsafe driving at least monthly. A mere 8% say they’ve never encountered unsafe driving on country roads at all.
Among the generations, Gen Z report the highest exposure, with 45% encountering unsafe behaviour weekly.
Fatigue, roads and wildlife add to the risk
Unlike urban driving, rural trips often involve long distances and fewer places to stop.
Almost half of drivers (47%) say fatigue and long-distance driving contribute to unsafe situations, while 45% point to wildlife on or near the road3. Poor road conditions are also a major concern, with 50% of drivers saying infrastructure and road quality increase risk – particularly on older or less-maintained routes. With this being a strong sentiment among drivers, it may come as no surprise that 61% believed that improving road conditions and infrastructure could be a solution.
What drivers say would make country roads safer
Australians clearly believe country road safety can be improved – and very few think “nothing needs to change”.
Only 2% believe country roads are already safe enough.
Instead, drivers believe roads could be safer by:
- Creating more overtaking lanes and slow-vehicle bays (48%)
- Reducing speed limits in high-risk areas (42%)
- Increasing signage and hazard warnings (41%)
Country driving behaviours that matter most
While country roads have their own language – so to speak – safety comes down to predictability and patience. The responses show strong support for safety measures that reduce pressure, impatience and risky manoeuvres. But you shouldn't just sit by and wait for road conditions to improve – here's how you can drive safer on country roads.
The top three most important country road etiquette behaviours, ranked by Aussies include:
- Being patient and avoiding risky overtaking (56%)
- Maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding tailgating (52%)
- Driving at a consistent and appropriate speed (46%)
Traditional driving courtesy gestures4, like waving or flashing headlights, are far less important by comparison – with only 14% ranking a thank you wave among the top safety behaviours.
Driving with care is key on rural roads
Most Australians agree on one thing: country roads can be safe, but only when drivers adapt their behaviour.
By slowing down, staying patient, planning for fatigue, and expecting the unexpected, drivers can reduce risk – both for themselves and for others sharing the road.
At Youi, we know rural driving is a reality for many Australians. Understanding the unique challenges of country roads helps drivers make informed choices when they get behind the wheel.
Because on rural roads, how you drive matters just as much as where you’re driving to.
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References
1 Research conducted by Ideally Group Limited, between 7-8 April 2026 with 1,058 Australians for Youi Insurance.
2 Treacherous terrain: The Aussie state with the most one-star roads, Drive
3 Australia’s Wildlife Toll: What Aussies See, Do, and Don’t Know on Our Roads, Youi
4 Australia’s Unofficial Road Rules, Youi
Disclaimer
This article's data is sourced from a survey conducted by Ideally Group Limited between 7 April 2026 and 8 April 2026, involving 1,058 individuals aged 18 and above from all states and territories within Australia. Some percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Survey results have not been independently verified by Youi and may not be representative of the general population. Youi makes no representation or warranty of any kind of the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, or completeness of the data and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind suffered as a result of the use of or reliance on the data. Individual experiences may vary.
