We’ve all heard about defensive driving – you know, leave enough space between you and the car in front of you, be prepared to take evasive moves to avoid potholes, be able to stop in case a child or animal runs out in front of you…well, I’d like to add a new thing to the list of skills people should have.
Defensive Running. Yes, that’s right. Defensive Running.
This means:
- Assume that drivers DONT see you – regardless of the reflective clothing / vests / headlamps / flashing lights and such that you wear.
- Always assume that drivers will turn toward you. If your looking to cross the street, just figure that the car will turn at you – as if it’s a cruise missile with some sort of homing beacon fixed on you.
- Dusk is more dangerous than dawn to run. Somehow the setting sun coincides with reduced brain activity amongst drivers. This is dangerous for runners.
- Attention drivers – the turn signal is NOT a decoration – it’s an INDICATION. Use it appropriately – this means if you are going to make a turn in the next mile, don’t leave it on until you’ve gone a mile and therefore made me guess which of the 12 side streets you’ve passed you’re going to turn onto. ALSO, don’t expect me to mind-read what your next move will be. I am a runner. I streamline – which means leaving my crystal ball at home. Which, now that I think of it, is probably safer for you. Otherwise your idiotic driving habits may compel me to smite you with the crystal ball.
So please – I am a runner. I run with my two dogs. I wear day-glo green reflective jacket and my dogs wear reflective vests – and when our combined reflective gear is assessed, we could be the landing crew at any airport. I have a leash that flashes / strobes to better enable YOU to see US. So please – use your turn signal. Give me more than the concrete edge of the street to run in – hell, I’ll run on sidewalks when they’re available. But please for the love of all things holy – use your motherf*cking turn signal. I don’t want to be your hood ornament.
But perhaps people would better see you then….
