60% of fatalities occur on country roads but drivers are oblivious to the risks:

• 3 people die each day on average on rural roads

• the number of people killed on country roads is nearly 11 times higher than on motorways

• a quarter of drivers have had a near miss and 1 driver in 20 has had a collision on a country road

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60% of people killed on Britain’s roads die on rural roads, and new research shows many more drivers are needlessly putting themselves at risk of an accident.

A shocking 25% of drivers report having had a near miss on a country road, while 40% have been surprised by an unexpected hazard, such as an animal. A third also confess to taking a bend too fast.

These findings suggest many drivers are failing to anticipate dangers on the road ahead. The research mirrors newly published casualty statistics which show that the most commonly reported contributory factor to being killed or seriously injured on country roads is motorists losing control, often because they are driving too fast for the conditions.

The new THINK! campaign urges drivers using country roads to:

• read the road ahead and anticipate potential hazards

• drive at a speed that allows you to stop in the distance you can see to be clear

• stay in control and give yourself time to react by braking before a bend, not on it

• give cyclists and horse riders plenty of space when overtaking

Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said:

"Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world, but most people don’t know that motorists are nearly 11 times more likely to die in an accident on a country road than on a motorway. On average 3 people die each day on country roads and these are needless tragedies.

"I want the public to understand these risks and adapt their driving to the conditions they face. That is why the new THINK! country road campaign is so important – we are urging drivers to read the road ahead, select a safe speed and brake before the bend.

The THINK! campaign has been backed by British Touring Car champion James Cole.

He said:

• As a young racing driver, I learnt a number of key skills, such as looking ahead and judging the road conditions. These skills are equally important for everyday driving in Britain.

• Being a responsible driver, I try to anticipate hidden hazards and brake before the bend, and this is critical on country roads - you just don’t know what’s around the next corner.

The new THINK! advertising campaign uses 3D scanning technology to illustrate that country roads are full of unforeseen hazards. This innovative visual technique allows viewers to ‘see’ through the bends on a country road and spot the unexpected dangers ahead.

The message for drivers is that, in the real world, you can’t see the perils that may lie behind a bend so it’s always best to slow down and give yourself time to react.

For further information search ‘THINK!’.