Joggers on the road
Discussion
Not posted here much before but want to know if others have this issue around them.
I live near an army college so there is no shortage of fanatics out to improve themselves on the roads. Several weeks ago on my commute home from work home along a typical B road, not exceeding NSL, I round a corner to find a man jogging in the middle of the lane, head down, wearing headphones, on coming traffic in the other lane. Weighed on the anchors + horn, fortunately he woke up in the nick of time and dived into the verge. Could very easily have been a very different story.
Do these people have so little road sense? When walking along country roads I was brought up to listen for traffic and especially when vehicles from opposite directions were approaching step into the verge and let them pass. Apart from being common courtesy it makes common sense not to put yourself at any additional risk of harm. Obviously you cant hear the traffic on the road if you're too busy listening to your favourite tune and cant see it if you're not paying any attention to where you're going in the lead up to a corner. Numpties.
But its not just them its the majority of people who walk along country roads, they make no effort at all to be courteous to traffic by stepping to the side. Instead they insist on sticking to the road making cars slow to their pace to get by them when there's on coming traffic. Its just so inconsiderate.
I live near an army college so there is no shortage of fanatics out to improve themselves on the roads. Several weeks ago on my commute home from work home along a typical B road, not exceeding NSL, I round a corner to find a man jogging in the middle of the lane, head down, wearing headphones, on coming traffic in the other lane. Weighed on the anchors + horn, fortunately he woke up in the nick of time and dived into the verge. Could very easily have been a very different story.
Do these people have so little road sense? When walking along country roads I was brought up to listen for traffic and especially when vehicles from opposite directions were approaching step into the verge and let them pass. Apart from being common courtesy it makes common sense not to put yourself at any additional risk of harm. Obviously you cant hear the traffic on the road if you're too busy listening to your favourite tune and cant see it if you're not paying any attention to where you're going in the lead up to a corner. Numpties.
But its not just them its the majority of people who walk along country roads, they make no effort at all to be courteous to traffic by stepping to the side. Instead they insist on sticking to the road making cars slow to their pace to get by them when there's on coming traffic. Its just so inconsiderate.
People walking, cycling, jogging on roads while wearing headphones or earphones pisses me off, they're putting themselves in danger, but if we let Darwinian principles take over, motorists would get 100% of the blame. Not all, but plenty of the headphone-wearing vulnerable users exhibit piss-poor observations when making any sort of manoeuvre.
I was always taught to walk on the right hand side of the road, towards oncoming traffic, if there were no paths so you could see what was coming (unless approaching a right hand bend with no visibility).
It seems there are some people with no common sense, and either haven't been taught road safety, or just didn't listen.
I was always taught to walk on the right hand side of the road, towards oncoming traffic, if there were no paths so you could see what was coming (unless approaching a right hand bend with no visibility).
It seems there are some people with no common sense, and either haven't been taught road safety, or just didn't listen.
I run on the road reasonably often. Wearing headphones is stupid enough on its own. Head down and in the middle of the road is verging on a suicide attempt! No music, hi-vis top and run toward oncoming traffic (as a general rule) and use pavements or the grass verge where possible. Unfortunately many grass verges are rather dangerous with hidden drops etc.
Mr Gear said:
They should ban everything from the roads apart from you, so you can drive around without ever having to slow down or engage brain ever.
Or educate them so they can take responsibility for themselves?Seriously, do they not teach road safety in primary schools any more? Cycling proficiency?
saaby93 said:
Surely running along the road is ok if you're running with the traffic flow?
but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
As most humans do tend to fitted with the forward facing eyeball option.but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
So it makes it far easier to keep an eye on the cars
So those running in the same direction as the traffic either have the rear facing eyeball option or the not squishy option but more then likely they have niether and also neglected the common sense option
I've noticed a trend recently of women jogging in pink hi-viz. I think they're in training for the race for life stuff and usually in groups of at least three. Despite this and the fact that as I'm cycling toward then I can see them from a mile away cars still nearly hit them. This is so bad now some have taken to wearing strap on lights and plan their routes so's only to use footpaths, they still get honked at when they cross roads because as we all know any colour hi-viz in completely invisible through the glass car windows are made of.
thinfourth2 said:
saaby93 said:
Surely running along the road is ok if you're running with the traffic flow?
but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
As most humans do tend to fitted with the forward facing eyeball option.but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
So it makes it far easier to keep an eye on the cars
So those running in the same direction as the traffic either have the rear facing eyeball option or the not squishy option but more then likely they have niether and also neglected the common sense option
Surely the easy option is to use the pavement?
saaby93 said:
Surely running along the road is ok if you're running with the traffic flow?
but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
When walking on a road you must always walk/run towards on coming traffic when there is no pavement.but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
In your scenario he was a tit for being on the road but he was on the correct side.
I wouldn't fancy walking down the road and not bein able to see the traffic.
You have a better chance in avoiding an accident if you can actually see the car heading for you.
DaveH23 said:
saaby93 said:
Surely running along the road is ok if you're running with the traffic flow?
but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
When walking on a road you must always walk/run towards on coming traffic when there is no pavement.but
Saw one the other day running in the road towards oncoming traffic while there was an empty pavement.
Why?
In your scenario he was a tit for being on the road but he was on the correct side.
I wouldn't fancy walking down the road and not bein able to see the traffic.
You have a better chance in avoiding an accident if you can actually see the car heading for you.
I run every morning on b roads with music on.
I am very visible, run toward oncomig traffic and have the music on so low that I can easily hear vehicles coming from both directions with plenty of time to spare. I will also check behind me and wave people on at corners.
Not every jogger is inconsiderate but it doesn't have to be so black and white in terms of music, clothing, road position etc. we are all grown ups, let's work together!
I am very visible, run toward oncomig traffic and have the music on so low that I can easily hear vehicles coming from both directions with plenty of time to spare. I will also check behind me and wave people on at corners.
Not every jogger is inconsiderate but it doesn't have to be so black and white in terms of music, clothing, road position etc. we are all grown ups, let's work together!
Edited by Bisonhead on Sunday 7th October 10:31
waterwonder said:
I agree some road users are just accidents waiting to happen. However people walking/running in the road are not obliged to move out of your way if they are following the highway code. If they do it is a bonus.
I'm not saying they are obliged to move out of the way in the same way you are not obliged let traffic from a side road into a que. Its just common courtesy and is all too lacking amongst joggers and walkers on country roads.saaby93 said:
f that were the case why dont cyclists cycle towards oncoming traffic? or horse riders? mopeds?
Ask whoever wrote the highway code.I would assume its because those other methods of transport carry alot more speed and are not as nimble enough to move/change direction as quick as somebody on foot.
DaveH23 said:
Ask whoever wrote the highway code.
I would assume its because those other methods of transport carry alot more speed and are not as nimble enough to move/change direction as quick as somebody on foot.
Right who's going to be first to dig out the Highway code I would assume its because those other methods of transport carry alot more speed and are not as nimble enough to move/change direction as quick as somebody on foot.
I thought it was only walkers that it's suggested to face oncoming traffic
and only when not in a group.
If youre in a group doesnt it say to walk on the same side?
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