Staying Safe (cont.)

     In my previous post I began blogging about staying safe while running in the dark, which is the time seventy percent of pedestrian deaths occur.
     Wearing reflecting gear (which I don't do, but really really should!) is extremely important in order for drivers to see you and not hit you! It's a given that the more that you wear, the easier it is for drivers to see you. This also applies to distance. The more reflective gear you wear increases the ability of the drivers to see you from a greater distance. That way, if the driver was not paying attention at all and wasn't watching their surroundings carefully, they would possibly see you more quickly and break more quickly if it came to that.
     When it comes to reflective gear, focus on putting it mainly on the lower half of your body. It's not something a lot of people realize, but headlights tend to focus downwards a little bit. (It makes sense though, because headlights can't aim directly into another car driver's eyes!) If you want to be noticed more easily and increase your own safety, just put your reflective gear on anywhere from your hips to your shoes.
     With that, attach the reflective gear to the body parts that obviously move. Of course all of your body parts move when you're running, but not as noticeably as others do. Instead of attaching reflective gear to your hips, attach it to your feet, knees, or hands. It's easier to see things that move and light up compared to things that simply light up.
     If you're anything like me and know little about reflective gear due to lack of usage, you probably are wondering what sort of equipment you should purchase to become more visible to drivers. Consider buying Power Arms, vests, Nike Reflective Tights, socks, and headlights. Often these products appear neon and are already easier to see in broad daylight in case you're running during the day time but there is little light such as heavy rain or fog, which can be just as dangerous as running in the dark for drivers.
     When it comes down to it, the choice is yours. If I were given reflective gear as a gift I would probably put it to good use, but I'm not interested in spending my own money. I run with the mentality that I am invisible and I yield to all vehicles. You just have to expect that you are not the drivers first priority and need to focus on your surroundings more closely to provide safety to yourself and avoid panic for innocent drivers. (438)