The winter months mean shorter, darker days. Even if the weather is good enough for you to go running outside, that increased darkness can impact your safety. An after-work jog that would have been carried out in the bright summer sunlight may be done at dusk or even after the sun has entirely set. This reduced visibility for drivers means that pedestrian accidents are more likely, especially for joggers and runners who are moving faster than many motorists expect.
Increasing your visibility increases your safety
One of the main safety tips that health and fitness experts give for night runners is to focus on being “as visible as possible.” That’s not to say that it’s your fault if a driver hits you, as long as you’re properly following the rules of the road, but being visible can still decrease the odds of that accident. That should always be your goal.
Perhaps the easiest way to do this is to wear a reflective vest. It reflects the car’s lights back so that the driver seeks you as they approach and go by.
That said, accidents may be better avoided with advanced warning. If a driver is turning, for instance, the lights may not hit the reflective vest until they turn. For that reason, many runners now wear their own LED vests. These can light up and flash at all times, regardless of the direction a car is facing, so that runners are even safer yet.
Have you been injured while jogging by a negligent driver?
All of the safety tips in the world can’t prevent all accidents. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver while you were jogging or walking, you may have a right to financial compensation. An experienced attorney here in Rome can help you learn more about your options for recovery.