As we wrap up Running Safety Month, let’s focus on one of the rules of the road that we sometimes forget: Look both ways. Perhaps more accurately, we could reframe this as look ALL ways because cars and hazards can approach us from all directions. As I snapped the above picture earlier today, at first I thought it was a bad picture. And then I realized: wait, there is a lesson for all of us to learn and absorb here, including Misty and me.
It’s wonderful to run with dogs because they can sense danger before we do in many cases. However, they overreact to squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc. so it’s a little imperfect to rely solely on the dog’s signals.
Sometimes humans notice dangers that dogs don’t. Dogs can’t really sense danger from above very well unless it is very near them. And car level is a little bit above the dog’s height and visual range.
Yes, at a T-intersection, we can generally look both ways and that is enough. But what about behind us? So we really have to look 3 ways at a T.
If it’s a 4-way intersection, yes we do have to look both ways. We can usually see in front of us pretty well. But we have that pesky blind spot behind us. (See Close Calls blogpost from earlier today.) So at a 4-way we really have to check all 4 directions as well as for anything that is moving/turning. Watch for anything out of the ordinary. It might even be good to check your blind spots twice. Make sure you swivel beyond that point when you look both ways.
And it’s not just at intersections that we need to be careful. Hazards such as loose dogs can approach us from any direction. Sometimes I have to stop and settle Misty down if it’s a loose dog. Or pick her up if it’s a large dog so she doesn’t try to slip out of her collar/leash. Even much smaller loose dogs have caused Misty to try to RUN so I have to be careful with all dogs.
It can be frustrating when dogs don’t want to look the same direction as we do. (We are united in both wearing Brilliant Reflective, though~even if it looks like we are going opposite directions.) But at times, this is because they hear/smell/see something (a dog barking? is very frequent) out of the ordinary. So pay attention to where your dog “points” with the tail and sniffs and alerts (reacting strongly to something).
Unfortunately, cars and bikes and high velocity are tougher to spot for humans and dogs. We take as many precautions as can. Stay out of any danger zone. If you feel like you are in a dangerous area/zone, get out of there quickly as safely as you can. If you see a car is too close to be safe, STOP or WAIT until the car passes.
Make sure as we saunter into winter that you are wearing bright reflective clothing and gear. One easy way to that is to add Brilliant Reflective safety strips like you see here. Want to try Brilliant? Check out their website: BrilliantReflective.com
Remember how when we were kids our parents taught us to look both ways before crossing? We need to do this 2-3 times to be safe. If there is any doubt or you can’t tell with limited visibility/precipitation, just wait. Your safety and health is too important to risk or jeopardize by making a hasty movement in dangerous uncertain conditions.
As we say goodbye to November, please be safe and watch out for dangerous hazards. Look both ways. Look again. Check blind spots. Proceed only if it is safe to do so. And by look both ways, I mean look in all directions. It’s an omni-directional sense of risk and hazards that we need. Be safe. Be seen. Be brilliant.
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