A 38-year-old woman, identified as Mónica Andrea Martinich Cohn, was reportedly killed early Friday morning while jogging with friends along the road to Samborondón in Ecuador.
The group was training for a race and was accompanied by a white pickup truck when a dark vehicle reportedly struck Mónica before fleeing the scene.
The other runners survived the incident.
#Afterthought We Can Learn
Jogging with traffic rules has clear pros and cons: running against traffic maximizes visibility and safety, while running with traffic increases risk due to blind spots and reduced awareness. The safest practice is to always face oncoming vehicles when sidewalks are unavailable.
Pros of Following Traffic Rules While Jogging
• Enhanced Safety Awareness: Running against traffic allows joggers to see approaching vehicles, anticipate movements, and react quickly. A
• Legal Compliance: In many countries (U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia), laws require pedestrians to face traffic when no sidewalks exist. B
• Driver Visibility: Eye contact with drivers improves mutual awareness, reducing collision risks. A
• Predictive Reaction Time: Facing traffic gives runners precious seconds to step aside or signal if a car veers too close.
Cons of Jogging With Traffic Rules
• Running With Traffic (Dangerous): Joggers have their backs to vehicles, making them vulnerable to distracted drivers.
• Blind Spots: Larger vehicles (trucks, buses) may not see runners when they’re moving in the same direction.
• False Sense of Security: Although relative speed seems lower when running with traffic, vehicles still close in quickly (e.g., a car at 40 mph vs. runner at 8 mph = 32 mph gap).
• Environmental Risks: Jogging on busy roads exposes runners to exhaust fumes, noise, and sudden lane changes.
Practical Safety Tips For Jogging
• Always run against traffic when sidewalks are absent.
• Wear reflective gear or bright clothing, especially at night.
• Avoid distractions (headphones at high volume).
• Stay alert for erratic drivers, especially in areas with heavy traffic.
• Run in groups when possible - visibility increases with numbers. C
After Thought
Jogging with traffic rules means prioritizing safety by facing oncoming vehicles. While it may feel natural to run with traffic, the risks far outweigh the convenience. Running against traffic, combined with visibility measures, is the universally recommended approach.