Running in the Dark in Peachtree Corners . . .

I am really looking forward to the “Light Up the Corners” 4-mile run this Saturday night.  It will be great fun seeing so many people running safely in the dark.  I am certain from the sky it will look like an extended dragon moving along the route that begins and ends at The Forum.  Form the ground it may look like a thousand fireflies when seen from a distance.

Running safely is a passion of mine.  I have written about it previously, and must admit that I have seen improvement in basic running safety by lots of early morning and late evening joggers  I continue to be amazed, however, by the number of runners – men and women – who wear dark clothing and run in the street (not on the sidewalk) while out for their pre-dawn workouts.

I run in the early morning two or three times a week. I always wear a shirt, a reflective vest, and a small LED safety light.  I’ll do anything to be seen while running through our neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, not everyone thinks about safety the same way that I do.  I have almost run into fellow jogger on dark sidewalks – one individual was wearing black tights and top, and I did not see her until we were only three or four feet away.  Fortunately, she saw me (thanks to the white shirt and vest), and said “good morning” before we collided.

Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking about – are they preparing for a stealth run?  If they are dressed in black or other dark colors and running in the dark, they are not thinking about their safety!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 4,280 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2010, and another 70,000 pedestrians injured. This averages one crash-related pedestrian death every 2 hours, and a pedestrian injury every 8 minutes. 

Although the number of fatalities declined nationally from 2004, the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area did not experience the same decline. Pedestrian fatality rates for males, Hispanics, and the 15–34 and 35–54 year age groups (the prime group for runners) were higher in Atlanta than in the United States overall. Gwinnett County is also among the highest counties in Georgia for pedestrian fatalities.

With respect to safety, the CDC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend the following:

·       Pedestrians should increase their visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking or running and by wearing retro-reflective clothing.

·       Whenever possible, pedestrians should cross the street at a designated crosswalk.

·       It is much safer to walk or run on a sidewalk, but if pedestrians must walk or run in the street, they should walk facing traffic.

To these recommendations and from my own experience as a safety officer, I encourage the following pro-safety measures:

·       Always wear light colored clothing when jogging, running, or walking during the hours of darkness, even if you wear reflective vests or clothing.  It is much easier for you to be seen by drivers, bicyclists, and other runners, especially on poorly lit sections of our streets and sidewalks.

·       Do not run in the roadway unless you absolutely have to do so.  This should not be a problem in Gwinnett, and especially in Peachtree Corners, as there are sidewalks along most public roads.  There are subdivisions without sidewalks, but the traffic there is not nearly as bad as on the main thoroughfares.

·       Improve your situational awareness by always walking, running, or jogging facing the direction of traffic flow, even when you are on a sidewalk.  You will have better situational awareness as to the traffic approaching you, and can react quicker if something goes wrong with the approaching car.   Unless you have eyes in the back of your head, you cannot see cars approaching from behind you, which increases your risk if you run with the traffic.

·       Use all of your senses while you are on the street – especially your hearing, which can help warn you of approaching traffic and potential problems, headed your way.  This means that you should NOT listen to your iPod while you are on the street.  Save the iPod for the treadmill or elliptical at the Y or your fitness club!

IF you are participating in the “Light Up the Corners” run, I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.

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Bob Ballagh completed a full career in the Army where he was the chief safety officer in the many units he commanded.  A resident of Peachtree Corners for 21 years, Bob walks and jogs frequently in the neighborhood and can be found at the Robert Fowler YMCA several times a week.