Walking on the road is generally allowed if there is no sidewalk available. However, some specific roads like highways or interstates usually prohibit pedestrian traffic. 

Walking on roads for exercise can be safe if you walk facing traffic. Stay as far to the left as possible. Wear bright or reflective clothing. Be constantly aware of your surroundings. Choose roads with lower speed limits.

You do not always have the right of way. You do in the following situations:

• Crosswalks, marked or unmarked.

• Intersections with pedestrian signals.

• Sidewalks and paths yielding to pedestrians already in the road.

• Pedestrians must yield on roads without sidewalks where you should walk facing traffic.

• When traffic signals or police give direction.

• When entering a roadway from your home or any property. 

When visiting Florida in the winter, one or two people are killed every year in a crosswalk. They had the right-of-way but they still were killed. It doesn’t matter if you were following the law when you end up dead and no longer able to walk.

We’ve had some nice weather recently in our area. This morning as I drove to the store people were out walking on our small two-lane road. They were jogging on the road and some were walking on the road. One couple was in a very shady spot taking for granted that traffic would see them. 

I’ve had a couple of friends hit in recent years One was out walking and was badly mangled but did live with several surgeries and therapy. Another friend was hit and killed.

You can’t take for granted that drivers are paying attention. So many drivers today are talking on their cell phones, texting, jiving to music or looking at everything other the road. You can’t depend on drivers to assure you of your safety. We should all drive acutely aware of the road and our surroundings but drivers make mistakes. A jogger doesn’t want to be in the path of someone who is distracted. 

Today, I see kids in our neighborhood riding on mopeds with earplugs in listening to music. They are laughing and having a great time. Then there are the golf carts with kids hanging onto the back of them or ATV vehicles that are illegal on most public roads. An ATV going down the road at dusk with no headlights is a scary sight. Are they able to see you if you are on the road walking? Probably not. 

The best we can do is our best. If you are going to walk on the road, keep your attention in all directions. Try to move a couple feet off the road until cars pass. Give them plenty of room. This is not the place to “stand your ground.” Don’t listen to music. You need to hear whatever is coming.

We all need exercise but not at the risk of death. I’m grateful that I can still walk and jog some. I constantly try to stay aware. As drivers, our job is to slow down a little and drive as cautiously as possible.

— Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. He may be emailed at gmollette@aol.com.