Road Rules

Because I run and also travel, I am often forced to run on the roadside and often that is in different cities, in unfamiliar surroundings.  Now I am not, like many runners I know, militant about my rights as a runner.  I know that I am supposed to run towards on coming traffic and that I am entitled to a certain amount of space, as motorists are forced to share the road with runners and cyclists.  As a matter of fact, in many states the road, not the sidewalk, is the preferred method of travel for runners and bicyclists.  However, I generally try to run on the sidewalk where available, and even the grass (if it is firm) to help stay out of cars way.  I usually run on the road until a car comes by, then I hop onto the grass or even a driveway to let them pass.  I do this both for my safety and because I am trying to make it easier on the driver especially if I notice a lot of two way traffic.  Sometimes I cannot move of the road, and when that happens I try my best to ' walk the tightrope' giving the driver as much room as possible.

That does not stop cars from honking, yelling, gesturing and otherwise letting me know how they feel about my running on the road.  During a recent 8 mile run in Tennessee I ran most of it in a park then some on a sidewalk, but I was forced to run about 2 miles (one outbound and 1 on the way back) on a road that had no sidewalk and ditch on the side.  During that 2 mile stretch I had 4 cars honk or yell at me.  I tried my best to find a route that would avoid this problem, but not being familure with the area, this route was the best I could do.  I figured it was a pretty rural area with many horses around and that any cars I encountered would be understanding.

I don't understand why they are yelling at me.  Are they upset that I caused them to slow down?  Do they really think that I don't have the right to be there?  Some of these people show such emotion that I really think they believe that I am somehow doing something illegal.  As I said, I try my best to get out of their way.  Do people really think that I enjoy running with cars zipping by me, as I am forced to struggle to stay as close to the side as I can?   These cars only see me for a second during an 8 mile run that was almost all out of motorist's way; and they choose that moment to yell at me to get off the road.  The worst are the cars that don't yell but try to show their displeasure by coming as close to me as they can. 

Now I am not saying that all drivers are like this.  As a matter of fact the majority of people give me my space.  Some even smile or wave.  But I have noticed that certain cars types are better or worse.  Not all drivers of certain cars behave the same, but over the years and the many encounters; I have noticed a trend.  So to follow, from best to worst, is my very unscientific sampling of How Certain Cars treat runners:

1. Jeeps - by far the best.  Maybe because most jeep owners see themselves as outdoorsmen/women.  Jeeps almost always slow down and give me a wide birth.  Occasionally I even get a wave or a nod...probably because they are hikers, bikers or runners and have been in the same situation and sympathize.
2. Cars with bike racks - This is probably obvious, but it is often hard to see the bike rack from the front.  Any kind of distance biker has it much worse than us runners because to put together a long ride, they either need a trial, or have to deal with cars.  Bikers can't jump to the grass very easily like us runners.  They always give me my space on the road, therefore, when I am in a car, I give them their space.
3. Convertibles (with the top down) - most convertibles seem to try to give you space.  They are not as good as the above cars and I suspect their motivation is more about fear then good deeds.  I think convertible drivers know that they might get stopped at a red light and have little protection from a water bottle thrown upside the head.
4. Expensive Cars - the more expensive the car usually the more room they will give you.  I don't know if this is because to afford a car like that you are probably educated...or maybe it is just because they don't want to mess up their car with a runner sized dent.  These cars can go the other way though:  some idiots think they are rich and don't have to follow the rules.  You are just in their way.
5. SUV's - These cars go either way.  Some are true outdoors people who do their best to get out of your way.  Others are idiots on the phone, drinking coffee, eating a donut, yelling at their kids who look up just in time to miss you.  Then they blame the runner...of course you are the one being unsafe.
6. Sedan's - These are a little worse than the SUV's because you don't get the outdoors people.  Some are following the rules.  Some are just nice and get out of your way.  Some are just idiots that shouldn't have a driver's license.  Usually Sedan's don't yell at you...but they may not get out of your way either
7. Sport's Cars - Some of these are fine.  They respect you and they car too much about their car to get close to you.  Some sports car drivers are risk takers who want to see how close they can get to you without hitting you.
8. Pick up Trucks - Now I'm not sure why, but these are the worst of the bunch.  The majority of the close calls I have had have been with pick ups.  They also are the cars that yell and honk at me with the most frequency.  Another point, the more extras (brush guards, roof lights) that are on the truck the more prone it is to be a problem.  And if it has a gun rack or a hunting sticker, give it some room.  I always hear people defend hunting by talking about being out in Nature; hunters call themselves outdoorsmen.  Why then would they not respect us runners or bikers?  I guess sitting in a tree stand drinking beer and waiting for a deer is much more manly then training to run 26.2 miles.

By no means do I dislike hunters or Pickup drivers for that matter.  Many of my friends do both.  And by no means do I think that most hunters or pickup divers act like the few that I have had a problem with.  I just offer this list and these thoughts as a service to other runners.  If you are forced to run on the road and you see a jeep, you probably can expect that they will give you plenty of room.  If later you see a pickup with a brush guard, roof lights, a gun rack, an NRA sticker and a 10 foot CB antenna with a rebel flag on it...be prepared to dive head first into the bushes.