Monday, March 14, 2011

Road Safety

By Howard White


All our family members are into sports. We either bike, jog, swim, play tennis or hike. We enjoy being energetic and in good shape. Because we want to be active and fit all the time, we make sure that these activities are safe and sound, particularly biking or jogging on the road. When my son was little, it was one of the family's favorite things to do - ride bikes around the neighborhood, even into the night. Though this wasn't so far from the present time, we did not wear anything to keep us safe. We just got on our bikes and rode! Then again, at these current times, things are never the same as before.

I hate to say it, but it is dangerous out there - cars whizzing by at break neck speed, and not being watchful enough. When in a car, practice defensive driving, that goes for biking and jogging as well. Even though I prefer doing these activities on the hills and alleyways, there are risks still. Hence to reduce the risk of injuries, I asserted that all members of the family must wear a helmet, and a vest with reflector, particularly when the activity is at sunrise, sunset or sundown. For the most part, we are not on the roads at nights.

There are additional ways you can be safe on the road. Evidently the point is to avoid getting involved in road accidents. You want to be as visible as possible, so adding a headlight to your bike will help. There are also helmet lights that aid you on your level of vision so you can be aware that the driver of the approaching car sees you. Bikes are required to have bells in many countries, so putting a horn is a useful scheme. If a car is coming, slow down in case you have to make a move to avoid being hit. Be careful of drivers emerging from parking lots, don't drive on pedestrian lanes, don't oppose traffic, at a stop light stay beside the car and not behind it so that other motorists can see you, look at your side mirrors before taking a turn, at all times look behind you first before you move, do not crisscross in traffic or parking lots, and never forget to use signals before turning. If you ride at night, make certain you have a headlight and a blinking taillight. Wear a vest with reflectors. Pick wide streets, streets with less traffic and alleys during weekends. Just obey the traffic rules and make sure you have your appropriate protection gear and equipment on that will surely keep you safe from harm.

A lot of the safety instructions for biking are the same for jogging Wear a gear with reflectors, take off your headphones (applicable to biking also), and be alert always of your environment. The danger of jogging or biking on the street along with the cars is getting respiratory diseases caused by fumes from the exhaust. A lot of carbon monoxide can get into your lungs quickly including dirt and debris. Yet, occasionally it's the only option people have.

So the best thing to do is to protect yourself as much as you can and the one of the best ways is to make sure you are seen on the road and an orange or yellow reflective vest will provide safe visibility.




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