Those who choose to run in order to stay in shape or participate in their chosen sports and hobbies always face a certain level of risk. They generally need to run near the roads or on the sidewalks, and this means sharing that space with vehicles.
A vehicle collision with a pedestrian carries a very high risk of serious injuries to that pedestrian, regardless of the speed of the vehicle. It’s important for runners to know what they can do to reduce their odds of being hit.
How can you stay safe?
There’s no way to guarantee that you will never encounter a negligent driver who causes a crash, but there are things you can do to reduce the odds and stay a bit safer. Here are a few things every runner should keep in mind:
- Run against traffic rather than with it so that you see the vehicles that are approaching you.
- Do not wear headphones or listen to music while you run.
- Wear bright colors, especially if you run at dusk or dawn. If you run after dark, you may want to go even farther and wear reflective clothing, a headlamp or a vest with LED lights
- When running late at night, be wary of the fact that many drivers may be under the influence. This can also be true if you get up very early in the morning.
- Even if you have the right of way, always assume that the driver doesn’t see you.
These safety tips can certainly help you, but you could still be seriously injured in a crash. If you are, you need to know how to seek financial compensation from the negligent driver.