Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, 2025

Each year in July, Rural Road Safety Awareness Week draws attention to the unique safety challenges in non‑urban areas. This year’s theme—from July 14–18—is “Post‑Crash Care: Big League Safety,” a nod to baseball that stresses how timely medical aid can be a game‑changer after a crash.

Why This Matters in Rural Indiana:

• In 2021, nearly half of all U.S. roadway deaths occurred on rural roads—even though only 20 percent of U.S. residents live in rural areas.
• Rural crash victims face longer delays before medical care arrives, decreasing survival odds by 3 percent for every minute delayed.

Why This Matters for Our Region

Rural roads in Indiana—and across the country—carry unique hazards like higher speeds, limited lighting, and less immediate emergency access. Recognizing the importance of “Post‑Crash Care” encourages local agencies and residents to focus on response systems that save lives.

Let’s use this week to spread the word, support training, and strengthen rural road safety from the moment of impact to the arrival of care.