Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Law Blog

It's been a hot summer in Southern California, and now that it's drawing to an end, you're looking forward to ditching the exercise bike and the indoors and getting back outside to a running routine.

You've been away from the ritual for a few months, so here's a quick reminder of how joggers should share the road with drivers.

1. Run against the traffic. By doing that, you see cars sharing the same side of the road with you as they are coming toward you. This is safer than having cars that you can't see approaching you from behind. Even when the sun hasn't come up or is setting for the day, you'll see the headlights. This is the opposite of the rule for bike riders.
2. If you're running on a road that has turns or blind curves, do the opposite of Tip No. 1. As you approach a blind curve or are on a hill, cross the street. In this case, it's the best way to see cars as they go around the curve or as they come over the hill. Look frequently to the rear to see cars coming from behind. Once you've gotten through the hazardous area, go back to the other side of the road.
3. It's nice to listen to music while running, but don't wear headphones covering both ears. With headphones on, you can't hear oncoming cars or other threats. If you can't run without your tunes, keep the volume low and run with an earbud in just one ear.
4. Always run with a partner, one in front of the other and not side by side. You will be the lookout for each other.
5. Run on paths instead of roads, where available. Look for roads with street lights if you're running at night.
6. Many drivers on the road are distracted. To compensate for that, you need to run defensively. Don't assume the driver sees you, so be prepared to jump out of the way. Always watch for cars backing out of driveways.

Sometimes, the bad decisions people make only end up impacting themselves. Other times, bad decisions can result in serious injury to other people. Choosing to drive distracted is one such mistake.

When someone operates a motor vehicle without full focus on the task at hand, they increase their risk of causing a major crash. That puts anyone who crosses their path in unnecessary danger as well. In order to combat this risk, many states, including California, have made manually texting while driving illegal.

Go ahead and finish this sentence, one you must have heard someone say a thousand times: "You gotta get up pretty early in the morning to …"

Commuters in Manhattan Beach and throughout Los Angeles County probably would finish it this way:

In days past, school didn't start in the Los Angeles area until after Labor Day.

But the school calendars have changed through the years, and Los Angeles County kids will be heading back to school over the next few weeks. As drivers, we must be prepared.