# To the jogger who ran out in front of my car this morning: **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 29, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775 "2009-04-29T21:21:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/21 "2009-04-30T12:04:42Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > I realize my running can be an obstacle or an inconvenience. Not to mention illegal. Get off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/22 "2009-04-30T12:14:10Z")
Just to clear up a few points: **Scylla** , no worries. I came here not to pit joggers. The vast majority I’ve encountered while driving are safe and courteous, and I try to be the same in return. I came here to pit _one guy_. And I did it hours after the incident occured because I really did try to forget about it, but as the day went on I only got madder and madder at this twit. He put his own life in danger. He put _my_ life in danger. Less importantly but still significantly, he put my property and my driving record in danger. And yes, he scared the shit out of me. **ivn1188** , go ahead and believe I’m the jerk here. Though I’m trying to think of a scenario where I was in the wrong, and I just can’t. I was driving on a road with a forest preserve on one side and some office buildings on the other. It’s not a city grid with crosswalks or even an area that’s frequented by pedestrians. I was approaching what is essentially an interstate frontage road at approximately the speed limit (45 mph) toward an unmistakably, solidly green light, with the intention of continuing in a straight line through the intersection. It’s not a blind corner, there are no curves. With a quick glance to his right, there’s _no way_ the guy couldn’t see me. So he either didn’t look and ran right out against a clearly red light (stupid), or saw me coming but was too concerned with not breaking his pace that he chose to cross against the red anyway (stupid _and_ arrogant). If he had been specifically _trying_ to place himself directly in my path at the exact moment I reached the intersection, he couldn’t have done a better job of it. As for the horn, well… I was in no way certain that I was _not_ going to run over Mr. Jogger until he was actually clear of my bumper. It really was that close. So the horn was indeed intended to serve as a warning before it, admittedly, turned into an expression of anger after he’d passed. Did I start blaring before he was clear? Not sure, to be honest. The whole thing happened kind of fast. But again, _he scared the shit out of me._ I reacted. Who knows, maybe it’ll make him more careful in the future, so I’ve saved his life more than once. I will concede one thing: The remark about only caring if I’d killed him because of my insurance was an exaggeration for the sake of a good rant. Fine. I take that back. On the record, I do not believe careless jogging should be a capital offense. But I was pissed at this guy all day, and the pitting made me feel better. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/23 "2009-04-30T12:46:34Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Not to mention illegal. Get off the road. Surely a cite is following ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/24 "2009-04-30T12:50:07Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Surely a cite is following Oh noes! You didn’t finish your sentence! Surely you’ve just been run over by a ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/25 "2009-04-30T13:01:36Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Surely a cite is following Why bother? A scofflaw like you pays no attention to cites of local ordinances that prohibit pedestrians using roadways when there is a sidewalk. Besides, we have danced before, and you got your ass handed to you. Get off the road. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/26 "2009-04-30T13:12:15Z")
Even IF the guy had the right-of-way, he needs to LOOK before he crosses. Being legally right and being dead can be concurrent conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/27 "2009-04-30T13:20:59Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > And to be honest, I’d call it justified, because blaring the horn at the guy (who is presumably only a few yards away) and fuming about the incident long enough to get online and post a rant about it might just be overreacting. The jogger might have just been an asshole, true. But there might be another story. Given the OP’s incredible anger and vituperation, I’m betting on my theory. I’ll take that bet. And I’m not prone to taking bets that I’m not going to win. You remind me of a cousin of mine that will argue just to hear the sound of his own voice. I’ve called him an idiot to his face enough times now that he’s decided to save it for someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/28 "2009-04-30T13:26:02Z")
I remember now. You’re that sad little man who likes to terrorize joggers by beeping at them in order to startle them as you pass. I always run on the road, against the flow of traffic, and in full and complete comiance with local laws. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/29 "2009-04-30T13:39:22Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I have a question: why run in the street? if there is nobody on the sidewalk, why not run on it? > I see this stuff ever day, and I wonder-do these joggers have a deathwish? Well, there are also people who run on sidewalks but have to cross streets, which entails getting into the street to get to the sidewalk on the other side. That being said, unless the car is a bazillion feet away, I always stop and wait for them to pass. One person against thousands of tons of steel with momentum? Yeah, I’d lose that. I don’t trust anyone to stop, even if they wave me on. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/30 "2009-04-30T14:26:10Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > I always run on the road, against the flow of traffic, and in full and complete comiance with local laws. You only obey laws when it suits you. When it is inconvenient, you declare yourself superior to the law, and run in the roadway, then whine when drivers honk at you. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/31 "2009-04-30T14:42:59Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > You only obey laws when it suits you. When it is inconvenient, you declare yourself superior to the law, and run in the roadway, then whine when drivers honk at you. You are a crazy creepy scary little man. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/32 "2009-04-30T14:49:34Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > You are a crazy creepy scary little man. You are a serial traffic offender who endangers public safety without regard for others. Get off the road, scofflaw. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/33 "2009-04-30T15:04:13Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Surely a cite is following FWIW, here’s [the Washington state law](http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.250): > [@](#): > > RCW 46.61.250 > Pedestrians on roadways. > > (1) Where sidewalks are provided it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk or otherwise move along and upon an adjacent roadway. Where sidewalks are provided but wheelchair access is not available, disabled persons who require such access may walk or otherwise move along and upon an adjacent roadway until they reach an access point in the sidewalk. > > ``` > (2) Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking or otherwise moving along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk or move only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction and upon meeting an oncoming vehicle shall move clear of the roadway. > > ``` YMMV, but I would imagine other areas would have similar regulations. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/34 "2009-04-30T15:13:47Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Bicyclists almost never pay attention to stop signs, I’ve noticed… Saw an incident just the other evening that really impressed me. Several cars were taking their turns at a 4 way stop of 2 thru streets @ 5:30 p.m. As the car facing east just began to move forward from its complete stop, a helmetless teen neared the intersection riding his bike north on the sidewalk that crossed just in front of this car. The bike approached and entered the intersection from the car’s right at a considerable speed, and proceeded across the crosswalk from S to N without slowing in the least. The east-facing car had begun creeping forward from the STOP line before the biker even came up to the street. The car was moving very slowly, and the bike was flying. Fortunately the driver was paying attention, and stopped very quickly before reaching the crosswalk, but WTF was that biker thinking?! I felt sorry for the driver, and bet the biker didn’t even pause momentarily to question whether he had done anything inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/35 "2009-04-30T15:30:51Z")
I’ve nearly bit hit crossing the street several times. While I was in the crosswalk, crossing with the “walk” signal. Cars in my neighborhood DO NOT check for pedestrians in the crosswalks while turning. In the spring and summer, I’d say it happens at least twice a month. As for running on the street - there are a number of places in my neighborhood where that is the only choice - there are no sidewalks., or handy green spaces to run on. This very much limits where I can go with my daughter - I’ll run on the road if it’s just me, but there’s no way I’m taking the jogging stroller there. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/36 "2009-04-30T15:34:04Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > \*\*Wheelz \*\*–Was he texting, or was it the Suicide Ipod? ould just be the jogger’s version of “highway hypnosis”. I usually run on a treadmill unless I’m trail running, no cars there). A couple of times I’ve looked at the clock, 5:30, blinked my eyes and suddenly the clock said 6:15. WTF? I don’t remember a thing about the 45 minutes I was on the treadmill. But not only did I lose 45 minutes, but for several seconds I plumb didn’t know what the clock was saying. I’ts as if the little arms pointing at the 6 and the 3 had no meaning at all for me! Similarly, my ex once called me from work to say: “The weirdest thing… I don’t remember driving to work today!” She did drive to work, and got there safe and sound, but totally on auto-pilot. Freaked her out. Jogger may have looked right at the “don’t walk” sign, but been so much “in the hypnozone” that it was meaningless to him. Scary as hell. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/37 "2009-04-30T22:21:19Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Just to clear up a few points: > > **ivn1188** , go ahead and believe I’m the jerk here. > . . . > So he either didn’t look and ran right out against a clearly red light (stupid), or saw me coming but was too concerned with not breaking his pace that he chose to cross against the red anyway (stupid _and_ arrogant). > . . . > The whole thing happened kind of fast. But again, _he scared the shit out of me._ I reacted. Who knows, maybe it’ll make him more careful in the future, so I’ve saved his life more than once. **Wheelz** , I didn’t really make a judgment either way. I just figured that the jogger was having a stupid moment and not a prick moment, and I wanted to point out that flipping a bird isn’t evidence one way or the other. (Nor is the honking, obviously.) While posting a rant later on might be some evidence of _you_ being a prick, with the further information you posted, we can see that it’s probably not the case. > [@Projammer](#): > > I’ll take that bet. And I’m not prone to taking bets that I’m not going to win. Oh. Well, case closed. Let me just take this opportunity to bow to your superior betting skills as proof. (Proof that you’re a twit.) (Oh, and double points for posting that after the OP further explained the situation! Way to reading, lolz!) > [@Projammer](#): > > You remind me of a cousin of mine that will argue just to hear the sound of his own voice. I’ve called him an idiot to his face enough times now that he’s decided to save it for someone else. Well great, I’m glad I’ve given you warm thoughts of your family. But let me give you a tip: I’m actually just giving you the opportunity to post all the “Ditto!” posts. Seriously, remind me why I give a shit if you call me an idiot? Because of your telling blows of logic and sparkling repartee about how you’re a Vegas oddsmaker with an idiot cousin? (Apparently, it runs in the family.) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/38 "2009-04-30T23:23:34Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > In the second instance, he might have been embarrassed by his lapse, as well as startled and a bit shaken. When he hears some fuckass leaning on the horn (because _that’s_ going to help the issue and keep the situation cool), it’s not inconceivable that his “my bad” moment might turn the corner into “Fuck off, you goddamn jackass”. There was a GQ thread about this phenomenon, so it’s not that farfetched. You know, that happens to me sometimes. I’ll do something boneheaded while I’m driving, another driver will lay on the horn, and my first reaction is to flip him off, even though I was the one who screwed up. You know what I am when that happens? A prick. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/39 "2009-05-01T00:58:34Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > FWIW, here’s [the Washington state law](http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.250): > > YMMV, but I would imagine other areas would have similar regulations. Here’s my state, PA’s law: "Section 3544. Pedestrians walking along or on highway. (a) Mandatory use of available sidewalk.—Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. ``` (b) Absence of sidewalk.—Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. (c) Absence of sidewalk and shoulder.—Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway." ``` No sidewalks out here in farm country, and note that sidewalks need only be used “where practicable.” I always run on the left, except when climbing a blind hill where an oncoming truck could not see me. Deeming this “not practicable” I then run on the right for this part. So, I’m always in compliance with the law. Unfortunately for every 999 courteous drivers there is one insane batshit insecure little asshole, who feels big and tough when he gets behind the wheel of a 2000 pound car. Then of course, they want to play the bully, and use their vehicle as a substitute for their penis. I always carry a knife, mace, and a cell phone along with my ID when I run. On those extremely rare occasions when somebody swerves towards me, throws a bottle or otherwise plays discourteous and immature games, I just call the police with the license number. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775/40 "2009-05-01T13:06:02Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I have a question: why run in the street? if there is nobody on the sidewalk, why not run on it? > I see this stuff ever day, and I wonder-do these joggers have a deathwish? Running on a sidewalk is hell on a runner’s joints. Concrete sidewalks have no give, unlike an asphalt roadway. If you’re landing several thousand steps during a run, the difference is significant. I always run on the road. I usually only do it at around 6 a.m. in my development, and at that hour I only see maybe one car heading out to the main road. Now that it’s lighter at that time of the day, I’ve recently begun venturing out to the main road, which itself is fairly car-free. The most cars I’ve encountered on it are 5 in a 4 mile round trip. The road has no sidewalks, and I always run against traffic. I’ve been passed by enough cars with drivers that are on the phone and drinking their double latte, to know that I’m probably the last thing on their minds, so I try to cut as wide a berth as space permits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-jogger-who-ran-out-in-front-of-my-car-this-morning/494775.md?page=3)