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Student killed while jogging

By Beth Janicek

A University of the Incarnate Word student was killed while jogging in San Antonio. The student was training for the Rock ‘n' Roll San Antonio Marathon, when he was accidentally struck from behind by an SUV. He later died at Brooke Army Medical Center. Police believe that the student may not have heard the vehicle because he was wearing headphones.

Pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem all over the world, but the United States has a particular problem with deaths and injuries. Every year in the United States about 5,000 pedestrians are killed and another 64,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, pedestrian fatalities account for 11% of all motor vehicle fatalities, which is the second largest category of motor vehicle accident deaths following occupant deaths.

There are several important jogging safety tips to remember to help prevent such tragic incidents:

• Stay on the sidewalk unless running in an organized road race, on a quiet residential or country road, on a road without sidewalks, at a time of day where traffic is virtually nonexistent, on sidewalks which are hazardous because of conditions, or to sidestep a sidewalk which presents a temporary hazard.
• Run or jog facing traffic as much as possible.
• When a car is approaching give wide berth.
• If you are involved in a near accident or experience an aggressive maneuver remember the license number and report the incident to the police.
• If a car seems to be following you jog calmly into a public building and call the police. Try and get the license number and watch the vehicle's reaction.
• When crossing a road, always use the 'look thrice' rule. Looking for traffic coming from the direction closest to the curb, looking the other way, and then checking one last time in the direction closest to the curb.
• Do not jog or run with a portable music-player.
• Avoid running or jogging in darkness.
• For night jogging, always wear clothing with reflective articles.
• Monitor the path before you and anticipate vehicles at every cross-path.
• If running in pairs, exercise extreme caution if you are running side-by-side.

Distracted drivers are potentially very dangerous for pedestrians, so it is important to be observant on the road whether you are driving a vehicle or jogging on the street.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on September 28, 2009 (boomark / email).