Many British town-based drivers think it's safe to speed in the country as rural roads have less traffic.
A British government survey shows that other motorists believe it's safe to speed at night as you can see the headlights of oncoming cars in the country.
The casual attitude of some drivers when driving in the country belies the fact that 63 per cent of all road deaths occur on rural roads.
Britain's road safety minister David Jamieson said: "We are committed to improving road safety on every road in the country - but too many accidents are happening on quiet country roads."
The survey which questioned 422 drivers by the Department of Transport revealed:
Younger (17-28 year olds) and inexperienced drivers (driving for less than a year) are taking the most risks with almost one in 10 thinking it is safer to break the speed limit on rural roads due to the lack of cars around.
33 per cent of all younger drivers also believe that fewer crashes take place on rural roads because they are quieter.
More than 40 per cent of Londoners and a third of drivers in south east England reckon that fewer accidents take place on rural roads because the roads are quieter.
13 per cent also admit they think it is safer to drive faster on rural roads late at night as you can see headlights of the cars coming the other way.
Almost double (40 per cent) the amount of men than women (24 per cent) thought that fewer crashes take place on rural roads because they are quieter.
Over twice (21 per cent) as many men as women (10 per cent) think it's safe to drive faster on rural roads late at night, as well as almost a quarter (22 per cent) of younger drivers.