Exercise Safety

[Guest guest]

Hi Health Conscious Activists,

 

As we move into fall weather, with less hours of daylight visibility, it

becomes more important than ever to make sure you are maximizing your visibility

and ability to avoid the pitfalls of running or waling in traffic as the

hours of light decrease at both ends of the day.

For those of you who have to exercise in traffic, it becomes more important

to make sure you are facing INTO traffic, so you can get out of the way if

oncoming cars do not see you in time to avoid you. It would be nice if they do,

BUT you can't count on it. Some drivers, are either drinking or on

prescription drugs that slow reaction time. This is especially so in the early

morning

and evening hours when the light is receding. In addition your driver may be

on the cell phone and distracted. Don't assume the driver will avoid you.

You can move out of the way if you see the oncoming traffic. If you run in the

LEFT lane you will be facing into oncoming traffic. Cars stay in the right

lane in the United States, bicycle traffic must also stay in the right lane. So

if you run and cycle, you must remember different road rules for each.

 

In addition you should make sure you are wearing some highly visible light

colored clothing such as WHITE,ORANGE or YELLOW to increase your visibility.

Some people use a reflective vest or even a small head lamp to see in front of

you and shine into oncoming traffic. These can usually be obtained in

sporting goods or mountain climbing equipment stores.

Have Fun, but be extra vigilant.

Arnie