The national default speed limit for single carriageway roads, the roads which are commonly referred to when using the term rural, or country, roads, is 60mph.
Local authorities are able to set lower speed limits, however, 60mph remains the national default, and the most common speed on these roads.
The lack of separation between carriageways and safety infrastructure on rural roads means 60mph is rarely, if ever, a safe speed to be travelling.
Per mile travelled, rural roads are the most dangerous roads for all kinds of road user and so the speed of vehicles on rural roads must be addressed as a priority.
Fact page on speed and safety on rural roads
Rural roadsHow close are we to safer rural roads?
The UK Government identified rural roads as a road safety priority in its 2019 Road Safety Statement. This document committed the Department for Transport to, "...establish a rural roads advisory committee to share experience on improving rural road safety".