While it’s important to remain aware of your surroundings when exercising outside, when the sun isn’t up, extra caution should be used.
New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones advocates for the use of specific gear and practices to promote safety.
“Wear bright clothing, carry a flashlight, use sidewalks and paths when possible – those are the top three things I would do,” Jones says.
Listening to what is happening around you is also important. Jones recommends, for example, listening to engine noises when a car is accelerating.
“Unless you’re walking at a park, always be aware of what the vehicles around you are doing,” he says.
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Photos by Brian Zuk
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For members of the New Albany Walking Club, staying visible while walking outside is a top priority.
Club members Brian Zuk and Linda Romanoff adhere to safe practices when walking together around 5:30 a.m. on weekdays.
Zuk, who has 15 years of experience as a paramedic, says it’s always dark at the outset of the walks. In the winter, it’s dark for the entire hour and a half. He always has a flashlight or headlamp. Romanoff also wears a headlamp, in addition to reflective clothing and a reflective vest.
While members of the club take steps to ensure their visibility, both Zuk and Romanoff say they notice fellow pedestrians sometimes fail to take the same precautions.
“Very often, not only are folks in the streets, but they are also wearing dark clothing, with no lighting, and going with traffic instead of against it,” Zuk says. “I’ve run on dozens of vehicle-versus-person incidents, and I can assure you that the human body always loses the encounter.”
When the club walks together, often on weekends, members try to stay single-file.
“We try our best to stay on the sidewalks,” says Romanoff, “but sometimes the sidewalks are bumpy or uneven, so we’ll go to the street.”
Zuk says that although he avoids walking in the street, it is occasionally necessary. In those cases, he always walks against traffic.
“When I see a car coming, utilizing quick head movements, I use my headlamp to make sure the driver knows I’m there,” he says.
Drawing on his experiences as both a paramedic and an avid walker, Zuk says it amazes him how many people have an “it’s not going to happen to me” attitude about accidents that can be easily avoided with some precaution.
“I just wish more people were being safe,” says Romanoff. “I see some changes, but that person we’ve all seen out in dark clothes – that bothers me.”
Jessica Williams is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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