When it comes to automobiles, Subaru is cut out from the rest. Out of all automakers, Subaru is the only one that features a boxer engine in every one of their vehicles, which allows their cars to fit their engines into the chassis for a lower center of gravity. This makes the all-wheel drive another hallmark feature of a Subaru (except the BRZ rear-drive Sports Coupe), has its dynamics optimized.
As such, a Subaru vehicle boasts all-weather capability and a go-anywhere attitude. This appeals to millennials the most, especially those who love the outdoors. Moreover, a typical Subaru doesn’t look like your average sedan, wagon, SUV, or truck. Every one of their vehicles carries a sort of personality, which isn’t just for show.
So if a Subaru appeals to the millennial outdoor lovers, does that mean it’s more ideal for driving it in the countryside? Surely, the rough terrains of a rural area is a piece-of-cake for a Subaru. But a city can also have poor road conditions, and more frequently, congested streets.
City Driving vs. Country Driving
City drivers have a reputation of being rowdy behind the wheel, and hence more prone to accidents. But statistics show otherwise. A 2014 report by the National Highway Safety Administration revealed that 54% of all traffic fatalities in 2012 happened in rural areas. This is even though only 19% of the U.S. population lived in the countryside.
There had been a total of 30,800 fatal car crashes in 2012, which resulted in nearly 33,561 deaths. 16,443 of the total crashes took place in rural areas, leading to 18,170 deaths.
On the other hand, urban areas had 14,263 crashes and 15,296 deaths. All in all, the rural death rate — at least during that time — was 2 1/2 times higher than in the metro.
This is all looking grim, but we don’t intend to scare you. After all, the causes of the crashes and deaths aren’t necessarily the countryside roads in itself. Rather, data showed that rural drivers speed more, drive under the influence more often, and don’t wear their seatbelts. Speeding was actually a major factor of a third of fatal rural crashes in 2012. But drunk-driving resulted in more deaths.
Hence, it all boils down to your discipline and your skills. Your Subaru may possess all the top-notch features that’ll let it traverse the steepest and roughest terrains, but if you’re not driving defensively, then your vehicle may end up crashed too, and you injured or worse.
City Driving isn’t Always Smoother
Cities may be full of modern highways and bridges, but there’s usually bumper-to-bumper traffic, too many stops, too many distractions, and a lot of conditions that affect traffic.
Stop-and-go traffic can put a strain on your brakes, making them wear out faster. Thus, you may have to check your brakes more often if you live and work in the city.
Also, frequent starting and stopping can affect your transmission, causing further issues like overheating. Idling for too long may cause overheating as well because your engine might struggle to get proper ventilation.
And of course, your tires will suffer and wear out more quickly. So you have to rotate them more often to maintain their optimum condition longer.
Cities can also have poor road conditions, which can be just as bad as a rural area’s uneven terrain. Driving through a pothole, for one, can damage your Subaru’s suspension.
Thankfully, staying up-to-date with your Subaru car maintenance schedule is all it takes to prevent early wear damage and other issues in your auto. And of course, as with rural driving, you should also keep your eyes on the road and prioritize your safety. Strive to disregard the distractions, especially calls, emails, and texts.
Rural Road Hazards
So what else causes rural crashes aside from unsafe driving? Like city streets, the countryside is also teeming with road and traffic issues. But the hazards in it are pretty unique.
Blind corners are one. Country roads tend to have several twisting lanes, worsened by their usually narrow widths. Hence, blind corners are more prevalent and dangerous. But accidents in such challenging conditions are totally preventable. Slow down every time you reach a sharp curve, and keep to the far side as much as it’s safe.
The hedgerows in countryside roads can be hazardous, too, because they may decrease visibility. So slow down as well when encountering one, and be sure that your Subaru won’t graze them!
When it’s raining, keep your speed under control because farming debris and mud may affect your stopping distance, like what icy roads do. Avoid tailgating to avoid a disaster.
Lastly, you’d be sharing the road with vulnerable users, like animals, hikers, and bikers. Be considerate and give way for them as well.
In conclusion, your Subaru can be safe anywhere, provided that you drive with caution and maintain the auto well. Be on the lookout for issues, and you’d prevent costly repairs and freak accidents, no matter where you are.