5 Tips for Running Safely

I promise this site will not turn all running, all the time. I’m just still celebrating the completion of my 10K! Even though I’m now a runner (ha), it makes me nervous to run outside. The sidewalks in my neighborhood are terrible and drivers in New Jersey scare me, which makes road running slightly terrifying. And as it starts to get dark earlier and earlier, runners—especially new runners—need to be armed with the knowledge to run safely.

While you don’t want to wear black when running at night, even white and brightly colored garments can be hard for drivers to see. Drivers moving at just 30 mph could travel a distance greater than 500 feet before they’re able to properly maneuver around an obstacle—a pedestrian wearing white may not be visible until they’re within 300 feet of the car. One easy and cheap fix is incorporating 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material into fitness gear to enhance your visibility. These tips from 3M will help keep you safe on the road—super important for getting to the finish line!

5 Tips for Running Safely

1. Do not wear white alone! Wear garments that incorporate high brightness reflective materials, in the proper amounts, and in key locations.

2. Increase visibility from all angles. Wearing garments that contain reflective material on the front, back and sides—in proper amounts and intensity—help enhance visibility.

3. Reflect. When walking, biking or running at night, wearing garments with the proper amount of reflective material is essential.

4. Shoe shine. When combined with reflective garments, reflective material on your shoes may help allow drivers to recognize a pedestrian in low-light situations.

5. Wear fluorescent materials. Fluorescent materials help provide additional contrast to the environment, and help runners stand out during daylight, dawn and dusk hours.

Do you run at night? How do you make sure you can be seen? —Erin