Running Safely at Night

We have a month before our clocks fall back, so we thought it would be a good time to share night running safety tips. National running advocacy groups greatly discourage running in poor light, as it is risky to you and to motorists; however, the reality for many runners is, their schedules only allow them to run in darkness. 

Here are some things to do to keep yourself safe:

1. Make your limbs reflective. Drivers are more likely to see reflective moving parts (arms, legs) than a steady reflector. Tape some lines down the arms of your jacket and your pants, or invest in a clothing with the reflection already intake.
2. Run in well-lit areas. Not only will this allow drivers to see you, but you can see your own running path and avoid holes, branches, glass and more.
3. Carry a form of identification. Whether you keep your id in a pocket (inside pocket is best) or wear an ID bracelet, make sure you do not leave home without it. Take is a step further and . . . 
4. Have an emergency contact phone number with you. This can simply be a sticker on your ID or part of your ID bracelet.
5. Leave the music at home. We know this is a tough one, but considering your sight is impacted, you will want all your other senses to keep yourself safe.
6. Run against traffic. This should go without saying, but if you are not on a trail or a sidewalk, you should run against traffic so that you can see what is coming toward you.
7. Mix up your route. Keep people guessing (yes, it can be dangerous out there) and mix up your routes so your route does not become predictable.
8. Let cars go first. This is best practice for running during the day, but even more important when running in the dark. You want to be sure the driver sees you.

Did we forget anything? Let us know if we did in the comment section. Happy, safe running!

Image source: self.com