This is long overdue; it’s a subject I think about every Saturday morning. As runners in a large metropolitan area we mainly have three things to worry about as we traverse the streets and sidewalks. Those three things we need to worry about are; cars, cars and cars! If you follow these three rules you’ll be able to continue running and avoid early morning trips to the hospital.
Rule 1: Always run facing traffic.
Whether you are running on the sidewalk, curb or in the street one should always run against the traffic. Wouldn’t you rather see them coming instead of sneaking up behind you? An easy rule to follow but also easy to overlook; remember, that approaching driver could be talking, texting or looking at pictures on their iPhone.
Rule 2: Always make eye contact with drivers.
Whenever you are on a path to intersect with a vehicle, make eye contact with the driver! If they are not looking at you, they may not see you. This is critical especially when you approach a turning vehicle. Often the driver will pull up to a stop sign or light, take a quick look and proceed. Unless they make eye contact with you, one should assume that they do not see you.
Rule 3: Pay close attention to traffic signals and the rules of the road.
We’ve all been there; it’s 5:15 AM, you come up to a red light, there’s not a car in sight, so you continue running across the street. Not a problem 99% of the time, but that 1% will get you. I have found that the left turn only arrows can be deceiving to runners. More than once I’ve been honked at because I ran against a red light, failing to notice the left turn arrow which had turned green sending me on a collision course with an angry soccer mom.
That’s it, just three rules, and of course common sense. Run safe!
Kenny