People of all ages have added walking to their daily health routine. Health experts say it stimulates the circulation and lung capacity and is an enjoyable way to work off excess weight. But this healthy practice is not without its hazards, notes a North Dakota State University Safety specialist.

More than 50,000 non-fatal injuries and 7,000 fatalities happen every year from accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles. "When safety rules are bent or broken it’s the pedestrian that always suffers the most in these accidents," says George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service.

He notes that vehicle-pedestrian accidents happen in rural areas, not only on urban streets. "Walking becomes more risky when the visibility is poor. North Dakotans who walk for exercise in rural and urban areas need to keep this in mind when walking," Maher says.

To make your walking safer, Maher offers these precautions:

• Walk toward the flow of traffic when there are no sidewalks available. Remember the saying "The left side is the right side for walking."
• Stay far enough to the left that you are not in the way of on-coming vehicles. Walkers are much more maneuverable than vehicles.
• Look both directions before crossing roads or highways. Even though many rural North Dakota roads have very little traffic, you should always assume that a vehicle can appear any time.
• Trim garments with reflective tape to make you more visible to the drivers. Wear light colored clothing.
• Wear sturdy footwear with good treads for safer footing.
• Don’t let children walk or run too far ahead of you. They should stay close to you, not running too far ahead or on the roadway.
• Use a flashlight if you plan on walking during the dusky hours or after dark. Your light that is bobbing in the darkness will quickly get the attention of drivers, calling attention to your presence.

###

Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu