Why are there datum points along a single continuous road?
To consecutively number every address along a state highway from a single datum point would result in large address numbers, which are impractical. Five-digit rural road numbers are generally illegible across most fence posts and extremely difficult to read top-to-bottom, down the post. They are also difficult to recite when calling emergency services. Because a rural address consists of a rural road number, road name and rural district (locality), even though rural road numbers may be repeated along a highway, the locality ensures the address is unique.
