Drivers must adapt their behavior based on their driving environment. Rural and urban roads present different challenges that require careful attention.

Rural driving characteristics:

• Narrower lanes, limited shoulders, and less lighting.

• Unexpected hazards such as farm equipment, wildlife, or slow-moving vehicles.

• Sharp curves and hills that limit visibility.

Safe practices for rural driving:

• Reduce speed on narrow or winding roads.

• Increase your scanning distance to detect animals, pedestrians, or farm vehicles.

• Be cautious at intersections that may lack signage or signals.

Urban driving characteristics:

• Heavier traffic with frequent stops and starts.

• More pedestrians, cyclists, and delivery vehicles.

• Shorter distances between intersections.

Safe practices for urban driving:

• Drive at reduced speeds to allow time to react.

• Watch for pedestrians stepping into the street.

• Maintain safe following distances despite lower speeds.

Reference Resource:
The Indiana Driver’s Manual is provided as a reference for this lesson. The manual is published by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and is publicly available.
This document is not the property of Nexus Driving School, and we do not claim ownership or authorship of its content.
Direct link: https://thenexusdrivingschool.com/pdf/drivers-manual%20(1).pdf