Jogging can be great for your health, but it’s also dangerous. Part of the injury risk comes from simply having to jog around cars and trucks. For those in urban areas, this may just mean using crosswalks while normally running on the sidewalk. But many people, especially in rural areas, also have to run on the shoulder of the road, meaning they’re much closer to the vehicles.
Pedestrian accidents involving joggers can lead to catastrophic injuries. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to stay safe around traffic.
Leave the distractions at home
To begin with, don’t allow yourself to become distracted while running. If you’re looking down at the screen of your phone or listening to music on headphones, it can increase the odds of an accident.
Understand where you should run
If there are sidewalks, it’s often safest to use them. But if you’re in the road, remember that you should be running against traffic, not with it.
Consider visibility
Visibility is very important, which is why bright clothing can help. If you’re running in low-light conditions, you may also want to think about buying clothing with reflective material or LED lights.
Obey traffic laws
Finally, just be conscious of the traffic laws and do your best to obey them. Always cross the street at crosswalks, obey walk signals and follow rules of this nature.
Seeking compensation
Unfortunately, you can do everything right and still be injured if you’re struck by a negligent driver. If this happens to you, take the time to carefully look into all of the legal options you have to seek financial compensation for medical bills and much more.