Concerns have been raised about the safety of people walking and Running whilst out in the countryside, specifically along country roads.

Please look at the below information on how to keep yourself safe.

The Highway Code for walkers:

The Highway code aims to protect pedestrians as the most vulnerable road users

The Highway Code applies to all road users in England, Scotland and Wales including pedestrians. Even if your planned walking route is mainly off-road, you may have short sections of road walking, or places where you need to cross the road.  So it is important to be aware of how the Highway Code applies to you as a pedestrian. 

How the Highway Code applies to pedestrians 

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users along with cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. In January 2022 the Highway Code was updated putting walkers at the top of a hierarchy of road users, giving drivers and cyclists more responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose.  The code also includes a responsibility for drivers and cyclists to give way to pedestrians who are waiting to cross a side road or a junction. Pedestrians also have priority when waiting to use a zebra crossing. 

Rules 1-35 of the Highway Code apply specifically to pedestrians.   

Rules for pedestrians when there is no pavement:

If you are in a small group, keep to the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic. Keep close to the side of the road and be prepared to walk in single file. If you come across a sharp right-hand bend it may be safer to cross to the left-hand side of the road and cross back after the bend. 

If you are in a large group keep to the left. There should be a look-out at the front and back of the group wearing fluorescent clothes in daylight and reflective clothes in the dark. At night, the front look-out should have a white light and the rear look-out a red light. People on the outside of large groups should also carry lights and wear reflective clothing. 

Stay safe 

Help keep yourself and others safe by: 

Using the pavement, or path along the side of the road, where one exists 

Using safe crossings where possible and following the Green Cross Code 

Wearing or carrying something bright or fluorescent to help others see you 

Using reflective materials at night such as armbands, sashes or jackets 

Taking special care with young children, pushchairs and wheelchairs

Stay Safe when Running:

1. Run facing traffic

No matter what time of day you run, it is recommended that you run facing the traffic while on the roads. This will improve your visibility and allow you to make judgements as to whether you need to make a swift turn out of the way. Always assume the worst out of drivers, as this will keep you safe.

If possible, when running around blind corners, you should run on the grass. Alternatively, do your best to make yourself seen or switch sides of the road depending on the current traffic and how safe it is. Usually, this is common sense, however, a little guidance doesn’t hurt!

2. Make use of the daylight

Ideally run in the daylight, running in the dark is far more dangerous than running during the day. Running during the day when it’s light outside allows you to see where you’re going and more importantly, increases your visibility to other road users. Furthermore, there are far fewer incidents and assaults in broad daylight as there are usually more people around.

Second, make use of cycle tracks and regular running routes, ideally routes where you’ll pass other runners and walkers. Avoid alleys, poorly lit areas, and definitely parts of a city or town you wouldn’t usually go when it’s light… you should also wear reflective gear to remain visible to passerbys and other road and cycle track users.

Finally, as a general rule of thumb: if on your regular running route you often don’t see at least a handful of people, you should consider mixing your route up to a more populated area, increasing your safety.

3. Wear reflective gear

Investing in a few pieces of reflective gear is an easy way to stay safe while running, especially when running at night. If possible, wear bright yellows, greens, and oranges with reflective patches to remain visible. If you’re going to be running in the dark, we also suggest investing in light-up running armbands or a running head torch to further increase visibility – these are essential pieces of kit all runners should own.

4. Be aware of your surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings is possibly the most important factor in regards to staying safe while running. As much as we all enjoy ‘getting in the zone,’ ensure you’re still tapped into what is going on around you. Watch for traffic, pedestrians, and most importantly, where you’re going.

If running with music, we recommend only listening through one earphone or turning your music down when running through crowded city streets, isolated areas, or when running on the road. This will increase your awareness and reduce the risk of any accidents or incidents – so stay aware!

5. Run with a friend

One of the safest ways to stay safe is by running with a friend. Hitting the pavements with a friend allows you to look out for one another while still being able to push each other during your run. If anything is to happen, the other can contact the required emergency services.

You can also run with a running group, further increasing your safety.

6. Always run with your phone

You should always run with a phone on hand. If you happen to pull up midway through your run with an injury, you can ring for a lift or ring for help if needed. Ensure to save your emergency contacts, and let another person know when you’re running, roughly how long you’ll be running for, and your estimated time of return. If any of this is to change, you can simply shoot them a text.

7. Research the area you will be running in

Research the different areas you are considering running in. This is especially important if running in new locations or on holiday. This can easily be done online and will allow you to map your run accordingly. Remember, even if you have to take a different route safety should be your top priority.

You can use route planners to do this, an easy to use method, with some of these tools allowing you to follow along live once created.

8. Abandon the earphones completely

If you feel particularly uneasy about running alone whether during the day or at night, then it’s best to ditch the earphones completely. This allows you to focus on your environment and those around you – the more you know what’s going on, the more you can do to protect yourself should an incident occur.