Basic Rules of the Road

Since sunrise has been getting later and later in the morning, I've found myself running around 7:00 a.m., instead of the 5:30 a.m. of the summer months. And, I've come to the conclusion that early morning drivers are far more considerate of objects (especially humans) in the crosswalk than drivers later in the morning. Take this morning for example, when I was almost hit twice in the same intersection when the little crosswalk man symbol was blazing plain as day.

Offender #1: High school girl. I agree that the ability to turn right at a red light is awesome. I take advantage whenever possible. However, you don't get to turn right on red when there's a runner stepping into the crosswalk. I hope my mad face and "Watch it!" woke you up for the rest of your drive to school.

Offender #2: Mom in too-large SUV with kids in the car (!!!). Yes, green still means go. But, you need to realize that the crosswalk signal is also telling pedestrians moving in the same direction as traffic to go. So, if you're turning right, you gotta hold your horses for five seconds and let me get across before lurching into the intersection. Good driving lessons you're teaching those kids by the way.

It infuriates me when a run turns into a game of Frogger. And, it's not like I'm running blindly into traffic. I wait patiently on the curb to cross when I have the signal. During that time, you'd think they had noticed me standing there, sipping my water, waiting to go. Are we really in that much of a hurry? Is squeezing through the intersection in front of a runner or biker really going to get you to work or school that much more quickly? The correct answer here is "No."

I've definitely become more conscientious of my driving around bicycles and pedestrians of all types since I started running. I give them a wide berth, pause to let them cross in front of me, because I know they appreciate it! Especially when 90% of other drivers really and truly either don't notice them or don't care about their safety...that was a totally scientific percentage made up off the top of my head by the way...

Stay safe out there!