Runners, Consider These Road Safety Tips

Many runners, whether training for a specific race or just trying to stay in shape, tend to run on the road. On smaller roads, this may mean running on the shoulder or even the far edge of the driving lane. On larger roads, it often means running on the sidewalk.

Either way, running comes with some serious dangers and risks. It is important for people who run frequently to know how they can stay safe during all of those hours of pounding the pavement. Here are a few key tips to remember:

• Run as if not a single driver can see you. Many runners get hit when they assume they’ve been spotted and they step out in front of a driver who never saw them at all.

• Run toward traffic, not with it. This is notably the opposite of how you ride a bike on the road.

• Wear lights, reflectors and bright clothes. Visibility is especially important at dawn and dusk.

• Be ready to move over on smaller roads. Any distance you can put between yourself and the traffic is going to help.

• Do not listen to headphones or any other music. Avoid audiobooks and podcasts. Just listen to the road.

• Think about safety when you run. It may be less safe to run during rush hour, with heavier traffic levels, than in the middle of the day. Adjust if you can.

These safety tips can help as you work to stay in shape this year. If they’re not even enough and a driver injures you in an accident, make sure you know how to seek compensation. If you’re injured due to someone else’s mistake, you have every right to expect fair compensation for your losses.