Running on the wrong side of the road

acurno

Just wondering whether anyone helpfully points fellow runners to run on the correct side of the road. Up where I run there's no footpath, plenty of traffic, and about a third of runners that I pass are running with traffic.
Was out today, passed three runners, two on the wrong side. As I was approaching one of them she moved to the correct side of the road, I assumed by her seeing me she realised she was in the wrong, but when I looked back she moved back to the left again.

I've thought sometimes about pointing it out to them about the dangers of running on the left, but is there any point? Should I just mind my own business and not interfer? I reckon most people I pass just don't know the rules of the road and most of them would assume their on the correct side, and some would probably welcome it pointed out to them.

Of course I'd say statistically there's probably zero or little accidents involving runners and traffic and we should more worry about those walking back from the pub at night half cut with no high-vis walking all over the place, of which there are plenty of deaths.
(those running on the left, with headphones, dark clothes, at night, are another case altogether!)

Am I making to much of this or has anyone else thought the same?

Woddle

From my point of view I have a few routes with no paths and the roads are twisty turny and at certain points of the route I find it safer to run on the wrong side of the road. Could this have been the case.

b.harte

I seem to remember an old TV ad about walking safety, it was years ago so my memory may be a bit cloudy.
I believe the advice it gave was to be on the side facing oncoming traffic for the most part but that it is better to switch to the opposite side on blind bends.
So not knowing where you run there may be a valid (if unusual) reason why some runners or on the "wrong" side.
Where I run, out on quiet rural roads for the most part I am forever switching side depending on what the corners are like.
It is also worth pointing out the a lot of drivers hug the ditches so running on the "correct" side can be hazardous as well.

Dan man

On a fair few roads I'm familiar with it is far too unsafe to go against the traffic all the time...approaching a bend where there is no visibility around the corner it is sensible to stick with the traffic. However, where possible runners/walkers should go against the flow of traffic for their own safety. A bit of common sense really should tell you what side is safer.

M cebee

i usually face traffic

if there's a camber on the road i alternate a bit-to prevent possible injury

emerald007

Rules of the road for pedestrians

http://www.rotr.ie/rules-for-pedestrians-cyclists-motorcyclists/pedestrians/pedestrians_walking-along-the-road.html

point 2 : If there is no footpath, you must walk as near as possible to the righthand side of the road (facing oncoming traffic).

Brianderunner

I use my head;

If the road is turning to the right, i'll run on the left. Far more dangerous imo to be on the right at a right turn where you cant see round the corner.

As regards headphones, i'd mute it when i come to blind corners/crossroads.

DustyBin

As far as I know there is no correct side stipulated in law for pedestrians - open to correction

Personally I will often run on the left hand side of the road, and for a variety of reasons:

• Avoiding potholes / bad surface
• Approaching blind bends (move to outside of bend)
• Approaching tops of hills (dont want a driver to find me standing in the blind spot)
• Mix up the camber a bit so as to lessen chance of camber related niggle

So yeah, I'd say it's not that big a deal, pedestrian safety has to come first


Edit: I see Emerald007's response there about walking on the right, there are definitely times when it is safer to travel on the left; approaching a bend or the top of a hill for example, but then again not all rules make sense I suppose??

See the British rules of the road:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070108

It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.

seems to make a bit more sense

emerald007

Woddle wrote: »

From my point of view I have a few routes with no paths and the roads are twisty turny and at certain points of the route I find it safer to run on the wrong side of the road. Could this have been the case.

I've the same approach here and would switch side where i'm approaching a blind bend but would cross 200m before the bend and get back on the correct side as soon as possible.

shels4ever

To be safe just run in the middle.

RoyMcC

One of my pet peeves. It's hugely safer to face oncoming traffic as the general rule, maybe crossing over at RH bends unless crossing in itself creates a hazard.

It seems not to be taught in schools any more, nor do parents give children instructions in the matter. You therefore get many instances where you might be running on the RH side with (for example) a dog walker on the LH side, compressing the space available for cars.

Mind you, you'd be out of your mind to risk running along many Irish bendy roads where traffic has no option but to hug the hedge going around the bends. Jersey's lanes are straighter but our drivers are worse

BeepBeep67

I always run facing the traffic, on blind bends I run out further from the edge to give cars a quicker view of me, plus I like the feeling of having the option of stepping in, I feel a little more in control. It can be like like Russian Roulette at times though especially if you're knocking out tempo pace.

sconhome

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

I always run facing the traffic, on blind bends I run out further from the edge to give cars a quicker view of me, plus I like the feeling of having the option of stepping in, I feel a little more in control. It can be like like Russian Roulette at times though especially if you're knocking out tempo pace.

+1

The roads where I am are narrow & full of twists & bends. I too run facing the traffic so I can see whats coming at me and give plenty of space for myself to step into if a car / truck comes along.

Coming to a blind bend I'll move further towards the middle of the road (assuming nothing coming behind me ) so an oncoming car has a better chance to see me and I have more room to step into. I always wear bright / fluoro tops to give contrast against the background for additional visibility on the country roads.

acurno

I'd agree with all the above, the roads I run have twists and turns and I'll always move out to give the greater visibility to motorists.
Doesn't seem to be the case though for the people I'd meet. Straight narrow road, on the left.

Question remains though, would you feel the need to educate people as they pass? Would you ever interrupt anyone on their run to lecture them as to the rules? Civic duty or each to their own as long as they don't endanger me??

huskerdu

acurno wrote: »

Question remains though, would you feel the need to educate people as they pass? Would you ever interrupt anyone on their run to lecture them as to the rules? Civic duty or each to their own as long as they don't endanger me??

Even if a runner does not know that running towards traffic is the rules of the road, and safer,I doubt that they will appreciate a driver pulling over, getting out of their car and lecturing them.

I would guess that the reaction is likely to be abuse, or worse, if you lecture someone with a temper.

acurno

I meant a fellow runner having a quick word. But I do agree that the likely reaction would probably be negative.

ger664

I always run facing traffic its the safest option for both users. However any race I have ever ran where there has been no road closure we are made run on the left hand side ??

lynchieboy

Most of this is comon sense, if you have to tell a grown adult what side of the road to walk/run on and it's safer to wear hi vis gear and that being hit by a car or lorry will probably kill you even though you might be 100% right and you will still be 100% dead!

Podge83

Common sense is the key. On-coming traffic side except where common sense tells you to cross. (sharp bend with nowhere to "jump" to if a vehicle comes.)

ger664

Podge83 wrote: »

Common sense is the key. On-coming traffic side except where common sense tells you to cross. (sharp bend with nowhere to "jump" to if a vehicle comes.)

Common Sense would tell me that if I have to cross the road because the road in question has such a bend and is that busy then maybe I should pick another running route.

This rules out most R standard roads in this country. They are just too busy and have enough of such bends to make them unsuitable for running/walking on safely.

plodder

ger664 wrote: »

Common Sense would tell me that if I have to cross the road because the road in question has such a bend and is that busy then maybe I should pick another running route.

This rules out most R standard roads in this country. They are just too busy and have enough of such bends to make them unsuitable for running/walking on safely.

Some are, but it totally depends on the individual road itself imo. I do part of my running on one and while there is one spot that is potentially dangerous, traffic is light enough most of the time. I'd usually cross to the other side just before the bend. I hate to hear people being discouraged from walking/running on rural roads. Being able to hear traffic is the main thing for me, which is why I don't wear an MP3 player on the road.

I think it helps when drivers are used to seeing pedestrians. They definitely are more careful when they know people are out and about. It also helps when you give a nod or a wave to drivers who make a bit of an effort to pass you safely, and also if you make a bit of an effort to move in or even stop sometimes to let them past.

RoyMcC

plodder wrote: »

I think it helps when drivers are used to seeing pedestrians. They definitely are more careful when they know people are out and about. It also helps when you give a nod or a wave to drivers who make a bit of an effort to pass you safely, and also if you make a bit of an effort to move in or even stop sometimes to let them past.

+1 We definitely don't help ourselves sometimes.

Podge83

ger664 wrote: »

Common Sense would tell me that if I have to cross the road because the road in question has such a bend and is that busy then maybe I should pick another running route.

This rules out most R standard roads in this country. They are just too busy and have enough of such bends to make them unsuitable for running/walking on safely.

Quiet country roads, (which I run on because I live on one) still do have traffic on them. There are also sharp bends with sheer hedgerows which cannot be stepped into or on to therefore crossing is the "common sense" option - and the one that keeps me alive. The R roads tend to be busy and are generally to be avoided, but L roads which are quieter can, with common sense be run on safely. However, these can still be dangerous even though they are not busy if we don't use common sense. What we must legislate for, unfortunately, are 1) inconsiderate drivers, 2) wide open mouthed boy racers 3) drivers who either don't or can't think ahead 4) drivers so up their own arse that they wear sunglasses on a rainy day and sit behind the wheel of their fancy yoke thinking they own the road. There are other options but i think i'll stop now.

lway

plodder wrote: »

I think it helps when drivers are used to seeing pedestrians. They definitely are more careful when they know people are out and about. It also helps when you give a nod or a wave to drivers who make a bit of an effort to pass you safely, and also if you make a bit of an effort to move in or even stop sometimes to let them past.

+1 on this too. I'll always salute or "thums up" all drivers that make an effort to make some space, especially those that indicate.

What scares me most are those that don't indicate and have a second or third car following closely behind them who cannot see you at all so don't know you are there until the last minute. Truck drivers seem the best, but then again they are professionals .

rom

There really should be a list of or commandments of good running etiquette. From running n roads, to running on footpaths etc. how to act at races etc aka no Declan Moffits up the front, earphones etc