It is critical that walkers are careful. Never take anything for granted. Be a defensive walker when it comes to safety. This section is not a comprehensive list. You must always be ‘in the moment’. One bad mistake can be fatal so please practice safe walking. Send me your favorite safety tips if you think you can help people stay safe while walking.
Here are 17 safety tips and resources that might help you. Some of the them I learned the hard way:
- Beware of cars. Drivers do the strangest things. One mistake can be drastic. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.Be careful when crossing an intersection or a driveway. If you are not sure a driver is going to stop then it is safest to let them go. Before becoming a ‘defensive walker’ I had my share of close calls
- Beware of sidewalks. I can’t tell you how often I have tripped on uneven sidewalk or stepped in a hole. I have the bloody knees and hand to prove it. Be very careful or the join between slabs of concrete.
- Beware of dogs. I own a dog but when walking I am very careful of dogs. Invisible fences have almost been as dangerous. Om two occasions large dogs were running straight toward me through their backyards. The first time I panicked and almost ran into an electrical pole teeth first. Try not to panic.
- Be in the moment. Don’t text or do anything to take focus from your safety. On one very stupid occasion I was walking and texting on the open third floor of a factory and had I not looked up and realized I was 5 feet from a ledge you would not be reading these tips – 25 feet straight down to concrete!
- I often walk in the road (sometime to avoid broken sidewalks). I do not encourage doing this but if are be careful of bicycles and cars. If there is no sidewalk and you walk in the road, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
- Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. Do not expect cars to stop. Many go right thru crosswalks, even if there are flashing lights. I try to make eye contact and give them a thumbs-up in appreciation when they do stop.
- Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night. I favor neon shirts and bright walking shoes. I also wear a neon or white headband when training and always in races. It keeps sweat out of eyes.
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
- Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Just because one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
- Don’t wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing.
- Don’t rely solely on pedestrian signals; look before you cross the road.
- Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.
- Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
- Follow the rules of the road, obeying all traffic signs and signals. Yes, even though you are walking follow all rules.
- On TheWinningWalker.com our credo is – ‘Pain, NO Gain’ rather than the common help belief of ‘NO-Pain – NO – Gain’. Play it safe. If you are feeling pain it is better not to ‘walk thru-it. Get the proper professional attention and rest.
- Always listen to your body. Walk within your capabilities. Do not overdo it and do not push yourself beyond your physical abilities.
- Be careful of untied laces. I picked up a tip along the way that has helped me keep my laces tied. After you tie a bow take the eyelets at the end of your laces and tuck them under and thru a portion of your tied lace. I am always careful to do this, especially before a race. For me, my laces have never come untied during any of my races. I am going to post a video on how to do it soon.
‘Walkability Checklist’ for your community:
Stepping Out As An Older Adult – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: https://www.nhtsa.gov/pedestrian-safety/stepping-out-older-adult-be-healthy-walk-safely
