Pedestrians should stick to the correct side of the road to avoid accidents

This time of the year, looking for a cure for “cabin fever,” many people take to the outdoors and find relief in a variety of activities, including walking, jogging and running. These are fantastic choices that contribute to one’s personal well-being.

One concern I share as I watch people out walking, jogging and running is their safety — particularly for those who choose the streets for their pedestrian activities. Occasionally I’ll see a walker, jogger or runner on the street facing away from the traffic, when in fact their risk for injury and yes, even death, would be greatly reduced by exercising so they are facing oncoming traffic.

Seeing the vehicles that are coming toward you allows you to react to a dangerous situation if the vehicle for some reason is bearing down on you. Pedestrian vehicle accidents, even fatal ones, do occur because pedestrians fail to utilize the correct side of the road or street. That may have been a contributing factor to a fatal pedestrian accident in Hesston several years ago.

So when you take to the roads for your recreation and exercise, please remember that pedestrians should do their thing on the side of the road to their left, facing oncoming traffic. Health and safety to all.

— Gerald Sieber,

Newton