I've never gotten road rash. Never crashed in that manner. Sand and gravel on the road aren't a big hazard as long as you see them ahead of time and ride ride straight (no lean to the bike) across them. My accidents:

1) hit by car in 1977. I was on a 3 speed and got hit at an intersection by a car going very slowly. Bike fork got bent. I was fine except for ripping a seam in my jeans.

2) solo accident May 2005. Hit a curb due to not watching where I was going, did an endo and broke collarbone. Have no memory of actual crash. Bike was fine. I was riding again in 4 months. Shoulder is now almost normal again.