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This article was co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS. Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018.
This article has been viewed 9,431 times.
Whether you're walking for fitness or just walking from the grocery store to your car in the parking lot, safety should be your number one concern. You don't need to live in fear, but you should know some of the most common hazards and how to avoid them or minimize your risk.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
General Walking Safety
Pay attention to your surroundings. Not only can this save you from inattentive drivers, it also gives you the best chance of spotting early warning signs there might be a problem--such as somebody following you--and makes you look less like an easy victim.[1]
Stay on the sidewalk or multi-use trail. If no designated walking path is available, stay as close to the side of the road or parking lot aisle as possible and walk facing the flow of traffic. Note that in the United States, vehicles drive on the right, but in some island nations such as Great Britain and Ireland, vehicles drive on the left.
Always look both ways before crossing the street or any other lane of traffic flow. Although rare, drivers do sometimes go the wrong way down one-way streets or drive on the wrong side of the road.
Familiarize yourself with local traffic laws--and your responsibilities as a pedestrian--whether you're at home or traveling abroad.
Predict vehicle movements by looking at the driver inside the car, not by looking at the car. You'll be able to quickly tell whether the driver is paying attention and aware of you or not.
Stay sober. Walking while under the influence of alcohol increases your risk on many levels.Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Walking for Fitness
Wear highly visible clothing, especially if you're walking during the morning, evening or night hours or in reduced visibility. If you're walking in the dim or dark, wear clothing with reflective tape on it. If you don't have any reflective clothing, you can purchase reflective tape to sew or glue onto the backs of your walking shoes, around the cuffs of your jacket and pants, or in stripes down your arms and legs.
Avoid wearing expensive jewelry that might make you a target for robbery. It won't help your workout anyway.
Walk with a partner whenever possible, or at least tell somebody reliable which route you're taking and when you'll be back. Then stick with the plan.
Don't listen to a portable music player as you walk. This makes you look like an easier target, and makes it hard to stay properly aware of your surroundings.- If you can't give up on listening to music as part of your workout, at least ditch the ear buds in isolated areas where you need to be the most aware of your surroundings and personal safety.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionHow do I prevent people from targeting me when I'm walking alone?
Saul Jaeger, MSSaul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018.
Police Captain, Mountain View Police DepartmentOne of the best pieces of advice they talk about in self-defense classes is to not come off as weak.Make eye contact with people you pass, say hello, and walk with your shoulders back and your head high. Don't blindly look at your cell phone when you're walking around since that will make you an easier target.
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Tips
- If you feel unsafe walking through a certain area, change your route if possible or choose the busiest time of day to travel. You can also choose to carry a personal protection item, such as pepper spray. If you do carry a self-defense item while walking, make sure you know how to use it properly and familiarize yourself with any local regulations pertaining to its possession and use.Thanks
- If you're walking a dog, keep him leashed and under control so he doesn't accidentally run into traffic. You can make your pet highly visible too, reducing the likelihood of collisions, by outfitting him with an LED-illuminated or reflective collar or harness.Thanks
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References
- ↑ Saul Jaeger, MS. Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department. Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.
- http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/Pedestrian_Safety/factsheet.html
About this article
Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
This article was co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS. Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018. This article has been viewed 9,431 times.
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Co-authors: 6
Updated: May 25, 2021
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