Tuesday, February 20, 2018

City Nights City Frights A Guide To Walking Your Dog Safely At Night

City Nights City Frights
A Guide To Walking Your Dog Safely at Night
We live in a distracted world. Our digital age has presented us with some modern problems not heard of just a few years back. It is so common today to see people driving “Zombie” like, head down apparently on their phones, oblivious to the world around them, and all of the ordinary things occurring in it, like dog walking around the neighborhood.
How many times at night have you just been about to step off the curb, as you get the green filter light to do so, when just out the corner of your eye, you catch a fast approaching car, and immediately notice the drivers head down, an eerie digital glow from a cell phone screen illuminating their face, and they just do not see you. You have to deftly step back onto the curb to avoid injury to you and your precious friend, and end up shaking all over your body in fury and fright at the closeness of the danger. And all you are doing is walking your dog, an absolutely necessary thing whether it is winter or summer, rain, sleet or snow, dark or semi-darkness, morning noon, or evening.
Walking your dog is a big thing in both yours and your dog’s life. Besides it being one of the funnest activities that you both do together, the benefits of the activity are exhaustive, ranging from better health, to intimate bonding between you that is life lasting.
If you follow some “common sense” practices, and have the right gear, then walking at night, and in low light conditions should not present any more challenges than going to the park on a bright summer’s day with your dog.
When I was a kid, the road safety council used to come to our school to teach us the “Safe Cross Code” Now, even though this was at a time which was before digital, distracted driving took other forms back then. The “Safe Cross Code” although dated is still a practical  and common sense approach to help to be seen and safe no matter the conditions. The code as it was “drilled” into us kids was:
“Be Seen be Safe”
“Always use a Crosswalk”
“Stand in the Light”
"Look and Listen"
"Walk Don't Run"
Be Safe Be Seen - In the evening and at night always wear bright colors, no dark clothing no matter how fashionable this may be. Bright colors help to contrast you against the background and can lead to a driver been able to see you better and distinguish your shape in low light conditions.
Useful Tip: With the innovations in clothing both for you and your dog, there is a proliferation of bright sport themed outerwear that is highly visible and reflective and is absolutely fashionable by to-days standards, making it easier than ever to wear bright colors with confidence, plus knowing it is a safer option for you and you dog for nighttime walking.
Always Use A Crosswalk - I suppose that rule speaks for itself. But I would say that even though you are at a crosswalk there are some rules to follow to be safe. Stand back from the curb.  Pull your dog up on a short leash by your side. Wait for the signal to change, hesitate a moment, look both ways, make sure all cars have stopped, then step off the curb and walk smartly across to the other side without hesitation.
Useful Tip: Walk don’t run. Running will cause anxiety in your dog, and he may do something that is unpredictable as a result. Just walk in a smart deliberate way and your dog will do this also.
Stand In The Light - With modern innovations, and I daresay limitations, today standing in the light is a whole lot different than it used to be. With local authorities the world over looking for innovative ways to save on energy, and reduce light pollution etc, then the quality of light emitted by street lamps today is a different color and casts a different hue than our old technology. I do not know what the street lighting is like around your neighborhood, but around mine, it is not as bright as it used to be. Therefore it is more important than ever to think “Reflective” for both you and your dog.
Look And Listen - Don’t assume, look twice before you step off the curb, in both directions, and listen. Listen to the sound a stopped car is making, if it is revving up, then don’t continue forward, the driver may just be distracted. Turn around and go back to the curb and wait until you are sure.
That’s it, that’s the code as it was taught to me. But what about other considerations to night-time walking or low light conditions. Walking in the light might be the rule that I would apply here, and walking against oncoming traffic. Stay on a familiar route that is well lighted by street lighting, and be aware of shadows. Also be aware that “critters” come out at night that otherwise would not be about during the day. Your dog may get nervous when he hears that strange rustling in the bushes that is probably a night creature foraging for food. A good flashlight either one attached to a leash, or to a harness would be the best defense against this.
So, what are the best innovations for low light, or nighttime walking that will help you to conquer the dark and help you both to be safe.
Walking at night should not be any more hazardous than walking at daytime, and should be enjoyable, fun, and fulfilling for the both of you, if you just follow some of the suggestions in this article.
Happy Walking!
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