Driving in rural areas is different from driving in the city. In the city, you have well-constructed roads and traffic rules to govern how you drive. It’s a lot safer and smoother to drive in the city. Rural driving is tricky; you have to deal with difficult and unpredictable terrains, wild animals, and unpredictable weather conditions. If you aren’t well prepared, you might end up in an unpleasant situation.
In this article, you will learn how to avoid these unpleasant situations and prepare in the best way possible for rural driving.
Vehicle Condition
Before you set out for rural driving, you need to ensure that your vehicle is in top-notch condition. When driving in rural areas, you will be lucky to find other humans, so finding a service station to fix your car problems will be near impossible. This is why you need to ensure that your car is in the best condition possible.
Below we have mentioned some things to check and fix before driving in rural areas.
Tires: Make sure the air pressure in your tires is at the level recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Low-pressure levels will increase your chances of puncturing your tires and wear them out sooner. It is recommended that you change your tires altogether and opt for off-road tires.
You wouldn’t want to get a flat tire in a rural area where danger lurks around every corner. So opting for the best off-road tires will be a wise decision. Off-road tires are manufactured especially for rough terrains; they don’t puncture as easily and provide adequate grip.
Engine: Get your vehicle’s engine checked; if an oil change is due, then make sure to get that done before driving to the rural area. Your engine will need to be in top condition for rural driving. A lot of power will be needed to tackle the different terrains you encounter in the rural area. An engine running on old engine oil has a chance of seizing.
Fluids: Check all your fluids beforehand; coolant, brake oil, power steering fluid, and engine oil. Please make sure the fluids are all at their optimum levels. Also, check for any leaks; if one fluid level is unusually low, then you should get your car checked for leaks.
Brakes: Brakes are important; you need your brakes to be working in optimal condition to avoid brake failure. Before you get on the road, you get your brakes inspected by a brake specialist to ensure you don’t have any faults in your brakes that will cause any unforeseen problems when you’re out on the road.
Rural Driving Tips
When driving on rural roads, certain tips and tricks will make the experience a lot better. Below you will find these tips discussed in detail.
Speed: When you drive on rural roads, you may be tempted to drive fast. The open road will call you, and the empty space will tempt you. But it would be wise to drive slowly on rural roads. You may encounter a speed limit sign, and you will notice that the limit will be low. Stick to this limit.
The reason why we recommend driving slowly on rural roads is that they are very unpredictable. You may encounter an animal on the road or a patch of road that is in bad condition. If you’re moving fast, you won’t have enough time to slow down to manage whatever condition you encounter ahead.
Overtaking: You can expect to encounter big vehicles on rural roads. Trucks, tractors, and other big vehicles are quite common on these roads. These vehicles need to be passed by with caution. Usually, the drivers of big vehicles have limited visibility. So when you try to overtake a vehicle, make sure you have plenty of space to do so.
Also, remember that these rural roads are home to such vehicles. And the drivers of these vehicles travel on them regularly. Be courteous to the driver, and don’t annoy them with your driving.
Animals: Rural roads are sometimes close to farmland. So there could be animals like cattle around the road. Cattle and other farm animals will use this road to cross over to the other side. Be aware of this. Driving slowly and cautiously will come in handy, especially when you see animals ahead. It will allow you to stop your vehicle in time and not cause them or yourself any harm.
Night Time: You will notice that rural roads have fewer street lights during the night, while some places may have none. In such instances, you will have to use your car’s high beams to ensure proper visibility of the road. Another point to note is to check your headlights and your high beam lights before driving on rural roads. Because of low visibility at night, be very alert and observe for any obstacles on the road.
Packing For The Trip
When preparing for a drive in rural areas, it is important to remember that you may not encounter any bathrooms, restaurants, or stores to buy anything. This is why you need to be completely prepared for anything.
Things you should have with you for your vehicle-related troubles are; a spare tire, jumper cables, a small fire extinguisher, extra gasoline in case you run out, and flares for emergency purposes,
Apart from taking care of your vehicle before going on your rural drive, it would be best if you also had some essentials with you. Water bottles are a must because drinking water may not be accessible on the road. Take some food and snacks, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Keep a flashlight, blankets, and a first aid kit; you never know what kind of problems you may run into.
Final Thoughts
Driving in a rural area can be a lot of fun. The scenic beauty you will encounter, the open road and the pollution-free air will make your journey worthwhile. All you have to remember is to be well prepared before going on the journey and be extremely cautious while you are on the road.
