Generally speaking, going for a jog is great for your health. If you stay in shape, you have fewer health complications and you can even extend your life. You don’t have to be a world-class runner to reap these benefits.
However, running near the road can be far more dangerous than many people realize. Every year, runners are struck by vehicles and they suffer serious injuries. Some of them pass away from these injuries. This shouldn’t keep you from going out for your daily run, but you do need to be aware of these risks so that you can avoid them.
What can you do to stay safe?
First and foremost, you’re not obligated to do extra to avoid negligent drivers. It’s their responsibility to help you stay safe. That being said, since you know that some of them are not going to uphold this responsibility, you may want to consider:
- Wearing a headlamp or an LED vest if you have to run at night.
- Wearing hi-vis clothing or at least bright colors like yellow or orange.
- Taking your headphones off when you’re out for a run so that you can hear traffic around you.
- Always running so that you face traffic, allowing you to see potential mistakes as soon as drivers make them.
- Running on roads that you’re already familiar with. You can learn about high-risk areas very quickly and become even more cautious at these areas.
As noted though, you’re not obligated to take any extra steps to be safe when drivers make errors or drive negligently. If you do get injured due to one of these mistakes, be sure you know all of the legal steps you can take to seek compensation to cover your losses.