Joggers, Follow the Rules of the Road

QUESTION:

I was driving on one of Grafton’s back roads when I came upon a jogger. It was dark and the street was not lit very well. The jogger was dressed in dark clothing and was very difficult to see. Luckily, I was watching him so when he suddenly crossed the street, I was able to avoid hitting him. Do you have any advice for joggers, especially around this time of year when it gets dark earlier and many streets do not have sidewalks?

 ANSWER:

We have received complaints of near-misses between vehicles and joggers or walkers, especially on the narrower back roads. Motorists should be alert to pedestrians at all times, adjusting their speed accordingly until they pass the jogger or walker. It is also the responsibility of walkers and joggers to take precautions when they are in the roadway.

The would like to provide joggers and walkers the following safety tips presented by www.runtheplanet.com:

• Run on sidewalks where available as required by law.
• Run on the left side of the road facing traffic. You will be in a better position to anticipate and react to vehicles.
• Wear reflective clothing at dawn, dusk, or nighttime and bright, visible clothing at all other times. 
• Run on roads with wide shoulders.
• Be cautious on blind curves where you will not be visible to approaching cars. Be aware of factors that affect motorist visibility such as glaring sun, rain, snow and fog.
• Run single file when running in a group, particularly in high traffic areas.
• Anticipate potentially dangerous situations and be ready to deal with them. Always make the first move to protect yourself. Do not expect cars to alter their paths to avoid you.
• Yield the right-of-way to vehicles at intersections. Drivers may not heed traffic signals or signs.
• Obey traffic rules and signals. Runners, as pedestrians, are bound by traffic laws.
• Be alert at all times. Be wary of "runner's high," fatigue, or any lapse of concentration.
• Avoid running alone in isolated areas and vary your route.
• Use your ears as well as your eyes, don't wear headphones.

Anyone with questions for the Chief’s Column may submit them by mail to the Grafton Police Department, 28 Providence Road, Grafton, MA 01519.  You may also email your questions or comments to chief@graftonpolice.com.  Please include an appropriate subject line, as I do not open suspicious email for obvious reasons. 

Normand A. Crepeau, Jr. is Grafton's Chief of Police.