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Add to FavoritesNothing in life is 100% safe, but running on roads is not a very risky prospect. As with all things, there is less risk associated with it when done properly. Statistically speaking, driving on the road is much more dangerous than running on it. (I myself am a runner, as my father has been for 40 years, and have yet to meet someone who has come to harm running on the road, whereas there have been many auto accidents affecting the people I know.)
To maximize safety, the runner can take certain measures:
He/she ought to wear visible clothing. (That I've been known to run at night in black without mishap should not be taken to discourage safe behavior.) There are a myriad of accessories out there to enhance visibility as well, including reflective vests and strips as well as clip-on lights.
In at least some states, runners are required by law to run Facing traffic - that is, on the left side of the road. Note that since such laws exist, state governments have given their de facto approval for runners to use the roadways. While I've never seen the rule enforced, it does make a lot of sense from a safety standpoint. Facing the traffic gives you the opportunity to watch and make certain that the drivers have indeed seen you (and are giving you enough space). The runners who foolishly run with traffic are putting themselves in unnecessary jeopardy.
Runners should always practice basic safety as well; looking both ways before crossing the street and staying visible to cars rather than weaving in and out of parallel parked vehicles.
Running in the street frequently offers a safety advantage over running on sidewalks or trails. Our roadways tend to be maintained much more frequently than footpaths (though with current trends, exercise paths are receiving more care in some areas now). Runners most frequently incur injuries themselves, pulling muscles and ligaments, spraining joints, and the like. Such injuries are much more likely on an irregular surface, as an uneven sidewalk can be - or a path with roots or potholes.
Runners are much faster than other pedestrians. Getting past walkers can pose a threat or challenge itself, especially with the growing number of people who walk with headphones (or cell phones) impairing their ability to hear. On the sidewalk, the runner may be forced to leave the path to go around the unvigilant walker, putting him/her at risk of injury on the uneven ground. The runner is also at risk if he/she happens to startle the walker. When they are unable to hear the runner, they first become aware of the runner when he/she passes them, and may act to protect themselves, mistaking the runner for a mugger or something. This may sound extreme, but enough walkers carry mace, canes, or other devices to make them feel safer that they become a risk when startled. Dog walkers too are dangerous to the runner, because far too many people are irresponsible and give their dogs too much leash. Most dogs are friendly, but enough have made a grab for my ankles to leave me wary.
Running on the roads is a safe and advantageous choice. Now get out there and run!
Learn more about this author, Ernest Capraro.
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No
The simple act of driving down any road is accompanied with its own set of dangers and hazards. Why would jogging on them be any less of a danger? I, myself, continue to enjoy my morning jogs on the road almost daily, but that's not to say that my chosen form of exercise isn't dangerous. Roads are dangerous places - literally, an accident waiting to happen, but I choose to take the risk anyway. After all, I choose to take the risk of driving myself to work everyday as well.
Some dangers for all you risk-taking joggers to look out for:
1) The Mindless Motorist
This is the first, and most obvious risk confronting joggers who have decided to brave the roadway today. We all know most drivers are not giving their full attention to actually driving their cars. Rather, they are eating, putting on their makeup, talking on the phone, reaching to the backseat to smack an unruly child, yelling at children, pretending to be a rap star, singing and dancing along with the radio, looking at a map, or worse, even reading a book! You are not on their mind. You will only be on their mind if they have to cause a wreck to keep from slamming into you, or, if you do that little "you go - no, you go" dance with them at an intersection, as you continue to run in place, for a few awkward seconds before one of you actually decides to go. To keep your body and the motorist's mind in tact, all you need to do is remember some things your mother probably taught you:
- Look both ways before crossing the street. Look left, right, and then left again.
- Do not step out into oncoming traffic.
- Follow directions. Listen to the little signs that say "WALK" or "DON'T WALK".
- Jog on the correct side of the road. As a jogger, you want to jog against oncoming traffic.
2) A Scent for Sore Nostrils
The scents and odors encountered on any outdoor jog can be vastly varied. The lovely smells of honeysuckle blooming and freshly cut grass can be delightfully refreshing. However, there are other smells lingering out there on the road. This can sometimes pose quite a problem for the jogger because, as we know, when you jog, you must breathe in deeply and more rapidly than normal. That means you will, no doubt, get the most out of each foul smell you come across; some carrying such odor that even continuing to breathe is difficult. Here are some smells to look out for:
-Fresh roadkill from this morning's rush hour.
- Old roadkill, still rotting from last week.
- Exhaust fumes from that dusty old car that's barely making it down the road faster than you are. This is not just a foul smelling annoyance; it can also be dangerous for your health.
- Animal feces. Be careful not to step in this as well, or you'll be stuck carrying the odor with you for the rest of your workout.
3) The Untamed Elements
Joggers should use caution when choosing the time they will go out to jog. Learning the weather forecast for the day can be of much assistance. The elements can be wild and unpredictable, so, if by making plans to jog when the weather is somewhat calm, hazards can be avoided. Obviously you wouldn't want to go for a jog during a hurricane, but there are other, less obvious, elements you may want to avoid as well.
- Rain - Not only is it a bit annoying to try to jog in, but sometimes rain can make certain parts of a road slippery. No one wants to slip and fall into a road where they could be susceptible to oncoming traffic. Rain can also make it more difficult for motorists to see, making the possibility of them seeing you slip and fall into their path much less than normal.
- Ice - Again, the possibility of slipping arises under icy conditions. On a day that's cold enough for the roads to be covered in ice, better to take a break, and stay inside with some hot cocoa, and roast marshmallows over the fire instead.
- Sun - The sun in not always dangerous for joggers. However, too much exposure to the sun's rays can be. Remember to drink plenty of water on those hot days when the sun is beating down incessantly, and stop to rest if you feel faint or experience dizziness. Wearing sunscreen is also advised.
4) Unpredictable Attacks
Predators are always on the lookout for their next victim. Joggers are not excluded from these vicious attacks. Predators of the animal kind, can also attack without warning. These can be wild animals looking for their next meal, or household pets on the loose. For your safety, always be aware of your surroundings, and carry a cell phone with you, if at all possible.
It is a known fact that in some cases, though it happens rarely, joggers can suffer a heart attack in mid stride. How horrible it would be for this to happen out on the open road with traffic whizzing all around you, and no way to alert anyone of your condition. Being aware of your body's limitations, not pushing too hard can reduce the chances of this happening to you.
Yes, the roadways are a dangerous place, but for some, the benefits outweigh the risks. Consequently, joggers will continue to jog, and if they are anything like me, they will do so with their keys ready to strike any attacker in one hand, and their trusty cell phone in the other. Just in case.
Learn more about this author, Dreidle Flare.
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