Hit by a car (or: safe jogging tips)

[rob]

While jogging. It was no big deal -- I saw it at the last minute and kinda bounced off the hood with my hands. This has almost happened to me a bunch of times before, so I'm not too surprised.

 

One thing I've learned from the experience is that I really need to be running on the sidewalk opposing traffic -- a car was pulling into a driveway I was crossing and didn't see it behind me.

 

Any other "safe jogging" tips? Reflectors? This was in broad daylight, so I'm not sure that was a factor. But, I run at night all the time with no reflectors, and my sweats are black and navy, so that's probably not good. Do you guys wear reflectors on your wrists and feet, or what? Blinking lights?

[denalidave]

Trail running is better on the knees and no cars. Much prettier too.

[rob]

I wish I lived a life where I could step out of my office after lunch and go for a trail run. But until I do, I guess I'll have to keep getting hit by cars.

[pink]

rob, your to cool dude.

[catbirdseat]

When I worked in Bellevue, I'd get in my car and drive to where I could run on trail. Running is supposed to be healthy. You risk enough out climbing without taking more unnecessary risk running on streets.

[rob]

Yeah, well I bus to work (climate change is real, you know) so that's not practical. It's easier to just go jogging around my office -- workout clothes in my office, I can run a few miles and stop-off at the gym (half-mile away) and workout for a bit, and I don't have to worry about traffic or parking. I can literally fit a good workout in between meetings (with no shower though -- I know, gross, right?).

 

Anyway... I guess I just need to run on the correct side of the street and wear reflectors at night. I should pay attention more, too, but THAT'S not gonna happen anytime soon....

[Sherri]

Dang, Rob, you are cashing in the karma points as of late! Glad you got out alive(again.)

 

That sounded like a close call.

 

I'm a trailrunner(for the same reasons stated upthread), but when travelling I will hit the streets for my run if I can't score any trail fixes. What happened to you has always been a concern to me, as well--driveways to houses, store entrances and parking lots, all require you to run with eyes in the back of your head. Even if you're opposing traffic, you've got to be watching watching watching. The drivers aren't looking for you as they careen into their destinations.

 

I went for a couple neighborhood runs in Vegas last time I was there(not enough daylight after climbing to trail run )and I almost got taken out a few times crossing the strip mall entrances. Nothing snaps you out of that endorphine high like 4000 thousand pounds of steel, glass and rubber in a hurry to get to the McDonalds drive-thru.

 

I'd say the best "safety precaution" one can take as a runner/pedestrian is to pay attention. Watch and listen. Reflectors and lights are great if the other guy is looking for you, but in the end it is YOUR eyes that will tell YOUR brain to GETTHEHELLOUTOFTHEWAY.

 

Be safe out there, pal. And thanks for the food for thought.

[cbcbd]

Unfortunately there is no 100% way to be seen and cared for by motorists. Fortunately I grew up in a place where pedestrians don't have a right of way and if you think you do then you are dead.

I carry the same mentality on the streets in town - I never trust that cars will see me and actually care to not hit me and always make a point to look after myself.

 

One thing you can do is to run around intersections or entrances - I don't mean run around the block, I just mean that if you approach an entrance or intersection make a half moon around it - not necessarily crossing at the point of intersection but earlier in the intersection - you'll get more time to scope out the traffic turning and get out of their way and hopefully the drivers will see you better because you're not at the heart of the intersection.

 

It sucks, but it's just the way it is - my only close calls were times when I assumed that I had the right of way. You may legally, but even if you have proved a point you'll always lose the battle with a 3 ton moving object.

[chucK]

Listening helps a lot (i.e. don't wear an IPod). Find routes through neighborhoods, not arterials. Combine those two and you'll just about always know if a car is within striking distance (unless they have one of them newfangled eelectric jobbers).

 

If you get hit by too many more cars investing in a hunter's orange shirt might be a good idea.

 

[jared_j]

Sorry to hear you got nearly creamed. Scary!

 

You know what would be a good exercise for all runners? Becoming a cyclist for awhile. Riding a bike in traffic teaches you to keep your head up and be alert at all times. I used to ride very seriously, but grew tired of it and now run 4 or 5 times a week. I'm always reading intersections as I approach them, and assessing what's going to happen next with the signal, and what cars are coming from what directions. Haven't had a serious altercation since, and this habit has arguably made me a much safer driver.

 

I live in Seattle, so dirt trails are not terribly accessible to me. That's fine - I run on sidewalks and shared use paths in town. My background cycling has taught me to keep alert at all times. This includes staying to the right on the shared use path, which is essential for it to be a shared use path and not a cyclist/pedestrian deathrace 2000 path.

 

 

My girlfriend, who is a runner but never rode bikes, as prone to run out in traffic like she fucking owns the intersection. Kinda like a lot of cyclists and other runners do. This is bad for business, and a good way to get creamed. A similar thing that happened to Rob happened to her a month ago. She was OK, but it was definitely close. She was pretty nonrepentant when I suggested she be more alert. Having the right-of-way doesn't give you the right to not be looking out.

 

The moral of the story: if you're out and about in the city, you need to keep your fucking head up. Sure, we all slip from time to time, but we all need to remember the consequences, as well.

 

P.S. If you really want to learn how to be alert, live in a mid-American urban wasteland of a city like Houston (where I grew up). The traffic is moving a WHOLE lot faster, people give even less of a shit than they do up here, and the lanes are wider. It will give you a newfound respect for how nice it is in the PNW.

[markwebster]

I wear one of those bright orange reflector vests when I ride my bicycle. I also have front and rear lights. I assume I am invisible at all times, and I don't wear an ipod. If you know for certain they won't see you, then you are prepared for the jerk who really doesn't see you.

 

I try to stay on jogging/bike paths, but when I have to ride on city streets...see above. When I was younger, I thought it was safer out there, but friends have died on bikes (larry kemp) and I know better now.