Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow

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2010-02-03 10:55 AM

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2010-02-03 12:07 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Master
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Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
Good thing you were able to see them. I agree, if you're going to run at night you need to have something that reflects and covers a good part of your body. No ifs, ands, or buts about it IMHO.
2010-02-03 12:10 PM
in reply to: #2652587

Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
merlin2375 - 2010-02-03 8:07 AM Good thing you were able to see them. I agree, if you're going to run at night you need to have something that reflects and covers a good part of your body. No ifs, ands, or buts about it IMHO.


Not only that...but you should run defensively to the point where you always assume the driver cannot see you.  Never enter a crosswalk assuming a car can see you just because you have reflective gear.  That usually goes for daytime too.
2010-02-03 1:18 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Master
2426
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Central Indiana
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
Great reminder.  A buddy of mine sent me an article recently about a doc triathlete friend of his who was killed by a car while running at dusk.  I hate to read stories like that
2010-02-03 1:33 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Elite
3913
20001000500100100100100
far northern CA
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow

A couple weeks ago, my husband saw a guy running in the dark in the morning wearing all black.  The next time he saw this guy, my husband stopped and told him get something reflective because he just couldn't see the guy running.  The runner thanked him.  The third time my husband saw him, he was lit up like a Christmas tree!

2010-02-03 1:46 PM
in reply to: #2652807

Master
2404
2000100100100100
Redlands, CA
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
I run at night and I'm pretty sure I've had alot more close calls than on my bike.  The 2 most common is the 'look one way right turn' and the 'stop in the crosswalk during the light'.   So far I'm still breathing but should get a reflector.

2010-02-03 2:34 PM
in reply to: #2652855

Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow

I ran last night with a reflective vest, headlamp, and a reflective band around my ankle.  My pants and shoes also have a lot of reflective bits.  I get a LOT of wierd looks (esp when I run through our little town and this is not necessary with street lights) but better safe than sorry!   I totally freaked a dog, too.

The headlamp is also great for seeing potholes and other hazzards.

After running Ragnar last year, and trying to dodge hundreds of runners at 3 am in our van, I did wonder if it can be a little distracting.  Something about driving towards the light.  At Ragnar Las Vegas a runner was hit and killed.  The rules are you cannot leave the gate between 7 PM and AM without a headlamp, taillight, and vest, so we know the runner was lit up (in this case it was drunk driving and I think they are even more susceptible to being drawn by the light).  I am careful to shine my headlamp away from oncoming traffic to try to help with that.

2010-02-03 2:38 PM
in reply to: #2652855

Champion
6503
50001000500
NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
furiousferret - 2010-02-03 1:46 PM I run at night and I'm pretty sure I've had alot more close calls than on my bike.  The 2 most common is the 'look one way right turn' and the 'stop in the crosswalk during the light'.   So far I'm still breathing but should get a reflector.

I have almost hit runners/pedestrians 3 x in the last two months.  All wearing black or gray with no reflective gear.
2010-02-03 2:57 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Subject: ...
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Edited by trotpntbll 2010-02-03 3:00 PM
2010-02-03 3:08 PM
in reply to: #2653001

Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
pga_mike - 2010-02-03 10:38 AM
furiousferret - 2010-02-03 1:46 PM I run at night and I'm pretty sure I've had alot more close calls than on my bike.  The 2 most common is the 'look one way right turn' and the 'stop in the crosswalk during the light'.   So far I'm still breathing but should get a reflector.

I have almost hit runners/pedestrians 3 x in the last two months.  All wearing black or gray with no reflective gear.


What's scary is that you probably drive very carefully because you know what it's like to be the guy running or biking on the road...and you still almost hit some people.  I try to drive extra careful when in neighborhoods that may have bikers or runners.  I cringe when I do see them at night with dark clothes and no lights...because there have been a few times that I could have hit them if I wasn't "actively" looking out for them.
2010-02-03 3:15 PM
in reply to: #2652364

NH
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
I always assume the driver is texting and isn't even looking at the road.  If the car isn't actively moving to avoid me, I assume they're going to hit me.  Be super defensive folks.  You only lose that battle once.

On a very sad note, a locally famous runner was hit last summer while off the road on the shoulder.  Like I said, I assume every driver is texting.

Edited by wbayek 2010-02-03 3:34 PM

2010-02-03 3:25 PM
in reply to: #2652995

Regular
130
10025
Albany, NY
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
BikerGrrrl - 2010-02-03 3:34 PM

I ran last night with a reflective vest, headlamp, and a reflective band around my ankle.  My pants and shoes also have a lot of reflective bits.  I get a LOT of wierd looks (esp when I run through our little town and this is not necessary with street lights) but better safe than sorry!   I totally freaked a dog, too.

The headlamp is also great for seeing potholes and other hazzards.

After running Ragnar last year, and trying to dodge hundreds of runners at 3 am in our van, I did wonder if it can be a little distracting.  Something about driving towards the light.  At Ragnar Las Vegas a runner was hit and killed.  The rules are you cannot leave the gate between 7 PM and AM without a headlamp, taillight, and vest, so we know the runner was lit up (in this case it was drunk driving and I think they are even more susceptible to being drawn by the light).  I am careful to shine my headlamp away from oncoming traffic to try to help with that.



I'm hoping to run Ragnar this year, so that just scared a little - but I know that we'll be well lit up, and hopefully everything should go well.  I'll make sure that my team and I take all this into consideration!
2010-02-03 3:31 PM
in reply to: #2653142

Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow

The night runs are tough (scary and you are tired) but the experience is TOTALLY worth it.  It'll all work out!  Driving at night was actually scarier than running at night :0

misfit_1 - 2010-02-03 3:25 PM
I'm hoping to run Ragnar this year, so that just scared a little - but I know that we'll be well lit up, and hopefully everything should go well.  I'll make sure that my team and I take all this into consideration!

2010-02-03 4:53 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Pro
6011
50001000
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
I run at night with a group of people, and most have reflective vests, but I got one of these for Christmas, and I love it!
http://www.ultrarob.com/shop/product/Nite-Ize-LED-Sport-Vest.html


The orange strip has light ropes in them that light up.  You can set it to either stay lit or flash.  The white strip across the bottom is also reflective.  Nothing says your family loves you more than something that can help keep you from getting splattered.
2010-02-03 6:10 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Extreme Veteran
1175
1000100252525
Langley, BC, 'Wet Coast' Canada
Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow

I recently picked up a reflective waistband and armband 'kit' from the dollar store! I plan to use the waistband as a racebelt as well for my first tri this year.

I REALLY recommend some reflective material, at the least a lighter-coloured shirt/jacket, and a blinking light, too. What I do if I can't find my cheap dollar-store blinky-light, is I run with one of my bikelights as a hand-held light....The light faces downward, but with the arm motion, it provides a slightly distracting-to-drivers effect, which is enough to draw their attention.

2010-02-03 6:29 PM
in reply to: #2652364

Master
1963
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Subject: RE: Safety Reminder we all know about but don't always follow
Got one of these, VERY bright and comfortable to wear...

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