Every year runners are hit, and sometimes killed, by cars while they are running. There are a lot of reasons why running is dangerous like roads that don't have a lane for bikers or runners and driver distraction but there are some things that runners can do to keep themselves safer when they are running. If you love to run but are worried about your safety when you're running use these tips to stay visible and stay safe when you're running:
Run During The Day
Many runners prefer to start or end their day with a run. But that means running in the early morning or later in the evening and both of those times are dangerous times to run due to low light conditions. During the winter months it gets dark very early and stays dark until late in the morning so running in the evening or in the morning is dangerous. Switch your run time to during the day to make yourself more visible.
Wear A Head Lamp
One of the best things you can do to stay visible is also very easy. Invest in a miner's head lamp that you can wear while running. They cost around $20 or less and they do a great job keeping you visible and making it easier for you to see where you're going. You're less likely to trip and fall over debris, curbs, and other obstructions and driers will definitely notice you.
Get Reflective Tape
If you are on a budget and don't have a lot of money to spend on running gear you can pick up a roll of reflective tape at any hardware store. Reflective tape can adhere to almost anything securely so you can add reflective stripes to your shoes, jacket, running shirt, shorts, wristbands and other clothing. When headlights or street lights hit that reflective tape it will light you up and make you very visible. Reflective tape is very inexpensive so it's great if you are on a tight budget.
Get A Safety Vest
Another inexpensive and practical way to be more visible is to wear a reflective neon safety vest. Today's safety vests are made from lightweight reflective material and they have pockets to securely hold your ID, phone, and other items. The best part about using a safety vest for visibility is that you can keep one in your car or gym bag and you can run even if you don't have your usual reflective gear. If you travel a lot you can save space by carrying just a safety vest instead of a lot of special gear for working out.
Run Against Traffic
When you are running you should always run against the flow of traffic to make sure you're visible. If you're running in the same direction as the cars you could end up a driver's blindspot where they can't see you. Running against traffic patterns increases the likelihood that a driver will see you among the cars.
This article was created by Personal Injury Help (www.personalinjury-law.com), an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only. Be sure to review your local cycling ordinances to ensure you ride safe and legally!
Resources:
Pensacola Runners Association: https://pensacolarunners.com/about/
More Running Tips:
https://www.personalinjury-law.com/blog/staying-visible-while-running
