It’s A Great Time Of The Year, Please Watch Out For Each Other On the Road

Wednesday was an absolutely beautiful day in the Northland.  I love this time of year, with the anticipation of summer and all the fun it brings.  This is also the time of year that motorcycles come out and more and more runners and people on bikes share the roads with drivers.  It's a great vibe to have people out enjoying themselves, but it's also a great time to remind everyone to please pay close attention to their surroundings and look out for each other.   I can speak first hand of this, as I've been out running several days a week for several weeks and am concerned of what I see while running on the road.

Motorcycles follow the rules of the road, that is obvious.  People peddling on bikes also follow the rules of the road, which means their backs are to people driving and they can't see you coming.  For those of us who run on the shoulders and sides of the roads, we go the opposite way and can see cars coming at us.  However, reaction time on foot is no match for a driver who may stray off the road.

I beg drivers to please stop texting while driving and get hands free Bluetooth devices for their phones, only to be used in an emergency.  While running, I've decided to watch as cars come at me and it is amazing how many drivers are on their phones or distracted.  For example, today about 33% of drivers who drove past where on their phone.  One drive was actually looking down at their phone as they passed me.  That was very scary.

I beg of everyone out their sharing the roads to please be fully aware of runners, walker, bikers, motorcycles and everyone out their sharing the streets.  No call or text is worth risking your life or the lives of others.

Now, bring on summer!