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STORM CLAIMS: If your property has been damaged as a result of the recent weather conditions and you don't need us to take urgent action you can notify us online of your claim. 

If you do require urgent action to be taken by us, call: 0800282652

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Rural Road Safety

Making rural roads safer for everyone.

Our aim is to make rural roads a safer place to be for anyone who lives in, works in, or visits the countryside - from motorists, motorcyclists and agricultural vehicle drivers to horse riders, pedestrians and cyclists.

We’ve created a Code for Countryside Roads to bring together expert knowledge and advice to make rural roads safer for everyone. The Code has been developed following consultation with experts, groups and feedback from over 700 members of the public. Download the document to find out more.

Read the code

Sharing the road. Respecting others.

In 2020 we launched our Rural Road Safety campaign in response to the disproportionate risk and tragic, avoidable loss of life on rural roads. Its aim was to raise awareness of the unique hazards of rural roads among all road users to help reduce avoidable casualties.

Our analysis of the latest official Department for Transport figures in our Rural Road Safety Report reflects a persistent trend of danger on rural roads.  According to this analysis:

9,887 people lost their lives on rural roads in the ten years from 2015 through 2024

In 2024, there were 72% more fatalities on rural roads than urban roads, and ten times more deaths on rural roads than on motorways.

For more rural road safety figures and trends, access our latest Report here.

Better rural road training

We are continuing our work to help keep our countryside as safe as it can be.

In 2025, the Government announced the creation of a new road safety strategy.

We have called on the Government to ensure that this strategy addresses the needless and persistent loss of life on countryside roads, with specific measures including:

  • Greater training on rural roads for learner drivers, both in theory and in practice.
  • The creation of a Rural Road Safety Awareness Course, similar to the Speed Awareness Course, for those who offend on rural roads.

In a survey of 2,000 motorists conducted by OnePoll for NFU Mutual in September and October 2025, 81% of respondents believed that learners should have more training and testing for driving on rural roads, while 71% supported a Rural Road Safety Awareness Course for those who break rules on countryside roads.

Guidance and Advice

To help road users navigate the unique hazards of rural roads, we have worked with our partners to produce guidance articles on rural road safety.

Rural Road Safety Advice for Motorists

Understanding the different road conditions and hazards you may encounter is key, as is respecting the other road users you share your journey with.

Rural Road Safety Advice for Runners and Walkers

Exercising in the countryside can be exhilarating; the fresh air, peace and quiet and beautiful scenery can all help inspire you to keep moving and benefit your mental health too.

Rural Road Safety Advice for Cyclists

Over recent years, cycling has seen a surge in popularity, particularly during periods of local and national lockdowns, with quieter roads tempting many of us to dust of our bikes and take to the road.

Rural Road Safety Advice for Horse Riders

Most horse riders will need to ride on the road at some point, whether it’s to reach an off-road route or to connect one bridleway to another.

Rural Road Safety Advice for Tractors & Agricultural Vehicles

Over recent years, tractors have increased in power, size and speed and so it’s more important than ever that drivers take all reasonable steps to ensure that they are operating machinery in a safe manner, with due consideration for other rural road users.

Rural Road Safety Advice for Mature Drivers

Nigel Lloyd-Jones of the Gloucestershire Older Drivers Forum provides some advice on how mature drivers can address five of the main concerns of rural road users over the age of 65.

Find out more

Code for Countryside Roads

pdf: 678kb

Rural Road Safety Report 2025

pdf: 1.5mb