Morning Running and Angry Drivers...

emmienjuicy

I lurk a lot more than I post, but I had quite an experince this morning running with the later group in my running club. Typically, I run with the group that starts at 4:30am-5am, and although we've gotten the occasional honks, it hasn't been anything of note. However, this morning, I decided to go out with the 5:45 group (the also run a different route) and we were honked at twice and a third guy went so far as to roll down his window and yell at us to get on the side walk....

Now, we all wear head lamps and relective gear and become single file when a car comes along, what's the deal? Do you all have the same experinces with drivers?

candreco

I have to ask, what kinds of roads are you running on?  I get that a lot of people prefer to run on roads over sidewalks, but I see a lot of people doing it where it's really not safe- busier or narrow roads where the car might not have room to get over to give the runners space, when there is a sidewalk available.

Just_Lisa

I have certin intersection by my house that I avoid because the drivers are so rude and never pay attention. I've been almost hit because people are in such a hurry they don't look. Early in the morning when people are rushing to work is the worst time of day. I'm not looking forward to summer when I have to run earlier to avoid the heat.

emmienjuicy

candreco:

I have to ask, what kinds of roads are you running on?  I get that a lot of people prefer to run on roads over sidewalks, but I see a lot of people doing it where it's really not safe- busier or narrow roads where the car might not have room to get over to give the runners space, when there is a sidewalk available.

Mostly, these are roads that have plenty of room for us to be on the side and for drivers to move over, and in many cases there are two lanes. There are admittedly a few roads that are one lane but they are not busy at all and we may see one car down them the whole time we are on them- if any. Yes, there are side walks- in a few places, but they strech for a few hundred feet in front of neighboorhoods and then end.

L_Woods

I find that the times drivers are in a hurry to get to work or get home from work are the worst. They're in a bad mood because of the day that lies ahead or the day they just had and it's easy to blame the anonymous runner(s) that are "in the way." I actually had to alter my route so that I'd be on sidewalks the entire time because I was nearly hit several times by drivers that blamed me (I was running against traffic, slowing as I came to the corner but not quite at the corner yet. They were California Rolling through a stop sign, taking the turn incredibly tight.) It can be scary, so I just opt to avoid it when I can.

ditzydi_2000

L_Woods:

I find that the times drivers are in a hurry to get to work or get home from work are the worst. They're in a bad mood because of the day that lies ahead or the day they just had and it's easy to blame the anonymous runner(s) that are "in the way." I actually had to alter my route so that I'd be on sidewalks the entire time because I was nearly hit several times by drivers that blamed me (I was running against traffic, slowing as I came to the corner but not quite at the corner yet. They were California Rolling through a stop sign, taking the turn incredibly tight.) It can be scary, so I just opt to avoid it when I can.

 You forgot idiots texting too.  I try not to even talk on my cell phone when driving because I try and stay focused on driving.  I run on pretty busy and tiny roads and run on the pavement in between waves of traffic but drop into the easement/ditch when I see them coming because there is no sidewalks on parts of my route.  I've gotten the aggressive driver honk at me.  I think it's more of catcall honks because I usually get them when I'm on the sidewalks.  

aeroluv327

How rude!  No, I don't get any honks but my neighborhood is pretty pedestrian-friendly.  There is one intersection in particular that I always stop at, even if I have the right-of-way because cars are making right turns on red to get to the toll road and only looking to see if there are cars coming from the opposite direction. 

kmartini1021

L_Woods:

I find that the times drivers are in a hurry to get to work or get home from work are the worst. They're in a bad mood because of the day that lies ahead or the day they just had and it's easy to blame the anonymous runner(s) that are "in the way." I actually had to alter my route so that I'd be on sidewalks the entire time because I was nearly hit several times by drivers that blamed me (I was running against traffic, slowing as I came to the corner but not quite at the corner yet. They were California Rolling through a stop sign, taking the turn incredibly tight.) It can be scary, so I just opt to avoid it when I can.

My hubby and I usually run together, but a lot of times I'll sprint ahead. On one such occasion, a truck stopped at a stop sign and signaled me to cross. So I did. There was enough of a gap between my husband and I that he made his right turn safely. The guy behind the truck, however, was apparently too busy gawking at me (according to my husband) to see my hubby and dog running up, and started accelerating through the stop sign (after his California Roll) only to slam on the breaks before hitting my family. The dog started going nuts so I turned to see the aftermath.

Unfortunately, idiot drivers are unavoidable.