Not everyone has the luxury of running in beautiful, traffic-free settings. Many runners need to plan their routes alongside traffic on their town’s roads.
The following tips can help keep you safer when out running near traffic.
Think about where you will cross the roads
The best place to cross the street is at a marked crossing. Drivers are more likely to be looking out for people crossing here than on a normal stretch of road. If the intersection has lights that force vehicles to stop, so much the better. You can also plan your routes to avoid too many road crossings, as it only takes one driver who is not looking to injure you.
Think about what you will wear while jogging
If you want to run in all black or head to toe navy blue, that is up to you, but just be aware that dark colors make you less visible to drivers, especially in low light. Many items of running clothing come with reflective patches to catch car lights at night, but you can also increase your visibility while wearing your favorite dark clothes by things such as a brightly colored fanny pack, water pouch or hat or a reflective yellow ankle strap.
Think about your positioning as you move
You want to position yourself for maximum visibility if you need to go on the road for stretches of your route without a sidewalk. You’ll need to run facing into the traffic, giving you a chance to jump out of the way if a driver is coming straight for you. You should also try to avoid running with your back to a low sun if on the road, as the drivers approaching you will have the sun in their eyes, making them more likely to miss seeing you.
Despite these precautions, an inattentive or otherwise negligent driver could still injure you. If so, learning how to claim compensation will be essential.
