January Newsletter

Most of us walk, run, or jog for exercise, which usually means we are on a public path or thoroughfare.  Particularly this time of year safety becomes a significant factor, as there isn’t as much daylight, not everyone uses their headlights appropriately, and often there isn’t much of a  shoulder or the roadway is rather narrow.  

I am regularly struck by the apparent lack of survival instinct I see in pedestrians who are walking or running.  I have seen them at night, during low-light periods in the evening, with their back to traffic, dark colored clothing, nothing reflective, and often on a narrow or non-existent shoulder. In Colorado, where I went to college, you were required to walk or run facing traffic.  That way you would have ample warning if a vehicle were about to hit you.  I highly recommend that practice here on Whidbey.  I also recommend everyone wear a bright colored and reflective safety vest.  Sure, it’s dorky and not required by law,  but I’d rather appear dorky than appear in a casket! It doesn’t have to be expensive, and in fact they stand out so well that a cheap, flimsy vest will suffice.

Personally,  I avoid as much as possible walking along a roadway where the speed limit is more than 35 mph.  Since most cars go at ten over the speed limit anyway, that means they’re approaching you at 45 mph, or 66 feet per second.  Doesn’t give you much time to get out of the way of a careless or drunk driver.

Kudos to the members of the South Whidbey Yacht Club!  Over the nine years or so I’ve been associated with this club,  I’ve been favorably impressed with how safe most member are when it comes to launching, sailing, and retrieving their boats.  I assume this goes for their attitude toward safety in non-boat related activities.