Running and road safety

looksee

Hi, I am not a runner, I am a driver. I had an experience a few days ago which has stayed with me, so I will mention it in the interests of safety.

Quite often runners approach junctions or roundabouts and usually try to keep running rather than stop. I can understand that. However as I approached a roundabout in the righthand lane I saw a runner crossing the other carriageway, then I realised she had disappeared.

The roundabout was clear enough to go forward but I wondered where she had gone as I slowed, so I stopped. Sure enough she had been running in the blind spot beside my windscreen and because I was also moving she stayed in the blind spot then ran out in front of my car. We were very close, she crossed right in front of me.

The point is that if I could not see her she would not have been able to see my face, in her own interest she should have been looking into the car - a distance of maybe 2 or 3 yards - to make eye contact with me.

All the above took place in just a few seconds, but she could have been under the wheels of my car, even though I was barely moving.

Please runners, check before you run into a road, make sure drivers can see you.

robinph

Always make sure I look in their eyes, or at least where there eyes should be, before making my move to cross. I do rarely wait for any lights to change, but also tend to pick my routes in such a way that I know there are simpler road crossings.

Bally8

I appreciate what you are saying looksee that was a very dangerous thing that girl did. However I am both a driver and a runner and as a driver who spends 2 hours per day on the road I've never had a dangerous incident with a runner. People out walking in dark clothes yes but never runners. On the other hand as a runner I regularly have close shaves with cars who drive way too close to me as Im running along the road. I go as close to the hedges as I can but more than once I have had near misses with people who wont slow down or move out to overtake me. I live in the countryside though so its a different story than city street crossing.

ger664

All road users should expect the unexpected at all times. OP well done in that regard tonight otherwise the outcome would not have been so good.

I agree with Bally8 it is dangerous running on country roads and I too have had many a close call with drivers not yielding or giving enough room when overtaking me. There are certain roads around me that are just too dangerous to run/walk on.

iceage

Have to say as a jogger I bloody hate roundabouts with a passion, thankfully most drivers once they see me (Flourescents) tend to allow me to cross, I used to be quite a big guy, maybe the thought of the damage I could do to their prides and joy made them think twice.