Staying safe when running near traffic
Published: October 21, 2022

Staying safe when running near traffic

If you’re jogging near traffic, perhaps because you live in an urban area and have few other options, you know that running brings a certain level of risk. There’s always the chance of being involved in an accident, and you could suffer severe injuries if a driver makes a mistake.

Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to increase your safety when you run. Below are a few key tips that you may want to keep in mind.

Don’t listen to music

Don’t wear headphones or earbuds to listen to music, audiobooks or podcasts. These can be enjoyable when you’re running, but they also make it harder to hear traffic around you and they can be a source of distraction.

Be visible, especially at dawn and dusk

It’s very important to focus on visibility because a lot of accidents happen when drivers just do not see runners. If it’s getting dark out, consider wearing a headlamp or an LED vest. Even if it’s not dark out, think about wearing bright colors that make you stand out.

Always assume no one sees you

When you’re making a decision, such as whether to cross the road in front of a car or behind it, always assume that drivers have not seen you at all. The fact of the matter is that many of them are just watching traffic, trying to determine when to make turns or other maneuvers. They’re not looking at sidewalks and they’re not paying attention to runners. The best thing you can do to stay safe is to be as careful as possible.

What if you get injured?

Of course, even if you do all this, drivers are still going to make mistakes and cause accidents. Those who get injured need to know how to seek financial compensation.

This compensation can potentially go beyond strictly the medical bills from the incident. You have to consider all of the related costs. For example, a star athlete who was injured while out for a training jog could be in jeopardy of losing their athletic scholarship. This could cost them tens of thousands of dollars and make getting an education impossible, which throws their entire career path off of its trajectory. These could all be potential costs that are tied to the car accident.

Regardless, you can see how important it is to know what options you have.

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