Walking along a road with no footpaths

[naffa]

We were having a break in the south of the UK this week and we were in a coastal area walking on the footpath alongside the road towards the beach.
The footpath on both sides of the road came to an end and so we had to continue by walking on the road.
I said we should all walk towards the oncoming traffic but the wife insisted on taking herself and 2 of our kids onto the other side of the road so the traffic was approaching from behind her.

Is ther any right or wrong in this situation?

I was taught that you should walk towards the oncoming traffic but maybe that is wrong?


Thanks Nath

[davepoth]

She had it wrong. You want to be looking at the traffic that's travelling closest to you.

[GeraldSmith]

You should walk into the coming traffic unless there is a specific circumstance (usually a bend) where being on then other side gives you are any driver better visibility

[greeneggsnsam]

Easy. HC: If there is no pavement keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic.

[JonnyFive]

davepoth said:

She had it wrong. You want to be looking at the traffic that's travelling closest to you.

Yep. You can see whats happening, if the vehicle is too far over etc.

[quigonjay]

naffa said:

I was taught that you should walk towards the oncoming traffic but maybe that is wrong?


Thanks Nath

this is what i have always understood as being the correct way, with a high vis jacket if dark

[Road Pest]

I live on a road where there's no pavement and frequently I drive past people walking on the left side (the wrong side). Occasionally I tell them and did notice that one lady and her son have listened.

[BonzoG]

She was wrong. Generally walk on the side of oncoming traffic, except if you're on the inside of a tight-ish bend obscuring the drivers view, or somewhere which doesn't leave much room for you to get out of the way if need be.

[Celt]

Id rather see drivers that might not see me and try and get out the way rather than being shunted up the arse.

Edited by Celt on Sunday 14th August 22:55

[Gizmo!]

BonzoG said:

She was wrong. Generally walk on the side of oncoming traffic, except if you're on the inside of a tight-ish bend obscuring the drivers view, or somewhere which doesn't leave much room for you to get out of the way if need be.

But I'd say crossing the road next to a blind bend is even more dangerous.

[D1bram]

I fairly regularly run on roads like this, I run into the traffic but cross the road when visibility is restricted (ie a bend) as others said.

I have to say, 99% of motorists are considerate in this situation. I'm always poised for a dive into the roadside nettles mind.

[bazking69]

Walk on the right. Keep your eyes out.

[Zwoelf]

bazking69 said:

Walk on the right. Keep your eyes out.

And your ears. In the countryside I find you tend to hear cars long before you see them - that will also tell you from which direction they're approaching before they're in sight and if it sounds a bit quick and it's approaching on your side, step up and stop on the verge until it has passed you.

[cahami]

As already said you are correct, gives you a better chance to react as well as the driver. How some people get this wrong i will never understand, mars and venus i guess

[Zwoelf]

cahami said:

How some people get this wrong i will never understand, mars and venus i guess

In fairness, horses and cyclists travel on the left, so you can see how one might assume the same applies to pedestrians without a footpath.

[saaby93]

BonzoG said:

She was wrong. Generally walk on the side of oncoming traffic, except if you're on the inside of a tight-ish bend obscuring the drivers view, or somewhere which doesn't leave much room for you to get out of the way if need be.

or if you're a group (when you're effectively a very slow vehicle and should at night display appropriate lights front and rear)
She was only wrong of none of the above was met.

[BonzoG]

Gizmo! said:

BonzoG said:

She was wrong. Generally walk on the side of oncoming traffic, except if you're on the inside of a tight-ish bend obscuring the drivers view, or somewhere which doesn't leave much room for you to get out of the way if need be.

But I'd say crossing the road next to a blind bend is even more dangerous.

Then cross nice and early before it...

[badlands1]

You must never do what the wife says, Never. (even if shes right)