Jogging at Night in The City

Your goal this year was to run more miles than you ever have in a single year. With gyms closed and without a treadmill at home, that means running through the city. Plus, with your hectic work schedule, it often means jogging at night.

Needless to say, you know it’s a risk. You’re already running close to traffic, where one mistake can cause a pedestrian accident. If it’s also dark and drivers have a harder time seeing you, the risk just increases. You don’t want to give up on your goal, though. How can you run safely?

Naturally, the most important thing is visibility. It’s often wise to wear bright clothes and reflective fabric. This has been done for decades. In the modern era, though, you can also get lightweight, long-lasting LED lights. Some runners wear them constantly so that they stand out in the dark, regardless of the angle of a car’s headlights.

You may also want to leave your music off while you run. It’s nice to have something to listen to and it may feel safe enough during the day, but the dark already makes you less aware of your surroundings. If you can’t hear, either, is it worth the risk?

Finally, never assume drivers have seen you. For instance, you may have the light at a crosswalk, but a driver may turn through the intersection as you jog up to it. Even if the intersection itself is well-lit, the sidewalk on both sides may not be. Always run as if you’re invisible.

If even doing all of this doesn’t prevent an accident, you need to know your rights to compensation for your injuries.