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As a former running fanatic, roads were never really an issue. My preferred time was at night, usually after 9pm when it was less busy everywhere. The route I took every time was the same, on well-lit pavements that anchored the side of the road, I would never detour without a path to lead me.

Road running cannot be considered safe, no matter what precautions one takes. According to the Worldbank group, upto 1.17 million people are involved in road crashes every year in the world, and of those, nearly 65 percent are pedestrian fatalities. These figures are enough to put anyone off the idea altogether.

There may not always be the option to choose exactly where to run, sometimes you have to hit the road to get another area, but the right route and time to run are essential. If you can, then try and run in daylight hours, many find mid-day preferable, usually in lunch breaks. Stick to the safest route possible, don't risk it unnecessarily.

If you cannot fit in those daylight runs then try and wear bright or reflective clothing, making you more visible to other road users. My very loud orange top came in handy for running at night, especially on those cold foggy nights, but not something I'd wear any other time you understand.

Try and limit the amount of main roads you run on, you don't want to be traversing highways or expressways on a regular basis, if you can, keep it to neighborhoods and the local community. If you live in a city, there are always plenty of parks around, free of the traffic and with plenty of space to exercise.

Finding a running partner also can help with visibility issues, you'll be easier to spot as a group and at least you have another pair of eyes to keep you safe. Many runners like to time their route, to see if they're improving their times and fitness, don't let road safety be the last thing on your mind when you have that record time in your head.

Don't risk trying to outrun that oncoming vehicle for the sake of a few seconds off your best time, if traffic is around, let it pass even if it means you have to slow down or even come to a sudden stop. If your running tempo has been disrupted by this, don't be annoyed, at least you will get to run again rather than be just another casualty statistic.

In the end, by taking no undue risks, running can be safe, roads are for cars, pavements are for people, if you remember that then you should enjoy running for a long time to come.

Learn more about this author, Wayne Reeves.
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