But you all know me well enough to know that I cannot leave it at just that. So what is it with drivers and their disrespect for runners? I am sure we all have stories of drivers and what they have done to use, or not done for us.... etc. (if you have a good story post a comment!)I have had some interesting times with cars, and their drivers over my short running time. One of my most interesting was when a car swerved like they were intentionally trying to hit me during one of my early morning 8 mile runs.
This morning I was running a normal route and this part of my route was in our neighborhood. I was coming up past a side street and a car was coming up to the stop sign as I was entering the intersection (without a stop sign on my street - the main street) Now, mind you I will usually slow down, speed up, run behind the car, etc when coming up to an intersection just because I know most drivers are inconsiderate and/or not paying attention, but this morning I was clearly coming into the intersection before the car even arrived. The driver proceeded to run the stop sign and continued to roll forward coming within just a foot of me, never stopping at the stop sign or at all and apparently trying to tell me through his actions that I was in his way. Why is it that these people are allowed to drive? These are the people I think about when I hear about pedestrians getting hit by a car. I know there are some careless pedestrians and runners, but more times than not I think it is just an inpatient driver thinking that he doesn't have to slow down or stop for a pedestrian or runner -l just my 1 cent!
I think we need a national campaign (maybe there already is one) that is similar to the Share the Road campaign for motorcycles or bicycles.
Tim Wilson - 26.2 Quest
I know what you mean, I almost ran over some runner on my way to work. But since she was going slow, it was not worth enough points, and I was not too late for work.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that is what is going through their mind. Half full/half empty.
I haven't had a problem with cars while running but when I get my bike out I'm taking my life in my hands!
ReplyDeleteOh I hear ya, Tim. My favorite one is when you're on a four lane road at 530 in the morning and this ONE bloody car is coming down the completely empty road. Does have the courtesy to scoot over a bit and give me room to run? Nah. He moves CLOSER to me, forcing me to jump into the bushes. Seriously, move the hell over! So you have to turn your wheel a smidge...there's NO ONE else on the road.
ReplyDeleteOr, when you're running INTO traffic, on the sidewalk and someone turning onto the main road doesn't pay any attention to who might be on the sidewalk. They just merge right on out there. My insurance agent nearly took me out a week ago and he's a runner, too!
So I've just learned to tell myself all drivers are idiots. Don't trust any of them. Even if they give ya that polite smile and the gesture to just go on across..DON'T!! LOL
Really weird here in new Zealand. Drivers stop at crossings and road junctions. I'm embarrassed sometimes when they stop before turning into a road and wait for me to run to the junction and then across the junction. I try to speed up but can't always. It wasn't like this in London ... similar to your experiences over there :(
ReplyDeleteI agree Tim. I think people are just in a hurry and concerned about their business and do what they need to do to get where they are going. I run on some roads aroudn Grayson HS at 0500 and for the most part I guess it is the same cars coming by in the morning and are used to seeing me and move over. I always try to give them a big wave to show my appreciation and hope that will aid in them being considerate over and over.
ReplyDeletemit: :)
ReplyDeleteAndrew & Mike: You New Zealanders, no problems with cars as runners.... hmmm, must be because of all the great scenery!
Mar: It must just be us in the South!
Alan: I do too have some of the same cars that come by and some that are very kind in getting over. Like Mar, I have this one school bus that comes by me many days, and regardless or whether there are any other cars anywhere to be seen they refuse to get over. They are so close that I could reach up and hit the mirror as they pass.
Thanks all for the comments!
Oh yea... the school busses. Same here. Usually I see the busses in the last two miles of my run.. and yes, they refuse to get over. Must be in the training guide.
ReplyDeleteAnother good reason for trail running... except then you get angry mountain bikers on your tail! I don't get what's wrong with people sometimes, especially in cases like this where you had the rightaway AND the car had a freaking stop sign -- both of which they ignored. I felt very fortunate today on my bike. I'm a new bike commuter, so I'm not always very savvy on the road, but two (yes, two!) drivers were extremely courteous of me trying to safely make left turns at intersections today. Could be because my neighborhood is full of runners and cyclists, so most of the drivers are just runners and cyclists who happen to be taking a car that day.
ReplyDeleteAnother good reason for trail running... except then you get angry mountain bikers on your tail! I don't get what's wrong with people sometimes, especially in cases like this where you had the rightaway AND the car had a freaking stop sign -- both of which they ignored. I felt very fortunate today on my bike. I'm a new bike commuter, so I'm not always very savvy on the road, but two (yes, two!) drivers were extremely courteous of me trying to safely make left turns at intersections today. Could be because my neighborhood is full of runners and cyclists, so most of the drivers are just runners and cyclists who happen to be taking a car that day.
ReplyDeleteReally weird here in new Zealand. Drivers stop at crossings and road junctions. I'm embarrassed sometimes when they stop before turning into a road and wait for me to run to the junction and then across the junction. I try to speed up but can't always. It wasn't like this in London ... similar to your experiences over there :(
ReplyDeletemit: :)
ReplyDeleteAndrew & Mike: You New Zealanders, no problems with cars as runners.... hmmm, must be because of all the great scenery!
Mar: It must just be us in the South!
Alan: I do too have some of the same cars that come by and some that are very kind in getting over. Like Mar, I have this one school bus that comes by me many days, and regardless or whether there are any other cars anywhere to be seen they refuse to get over. They are so close that I could reach up and hit the mirror as they pass.
Thanks all for the comments!