To walk alone for 45mins at 8pm?

[imamumgetmeoutofhere]

Just that really.

Told my DH I would be walking home from work tonight, finish 8pm.

It takes around 40-45mins. There are no busses at this time. He feels I should get a taxi, mainly due to the attacks on women that have been published in the media recently. I've said I can't justify the expense and am more than happy walking, usually do if it's daylight. We live in a holiday resort area but it's along 3 fairly busy main roads so won't be in any isolated areas.

He usually collects me but he has covid so can't collect me and I don't drive.

AIBU to think its fine to walk home at this time of the day in the dark or should I follow his advise and get a taxi and claw the cost back elsewhere?

@sillysmiles

and am more than happy walking

This is the key bit. I think it is as important to not allow the (well meaning ) men in our lives to make our world smaller more restricted as any "random stranger".

We live in a holiday resort area but it's along 3 fairly busy main roads so won't be in any isolated areas.

If you have looked at it and risk assessed it and you feel comfortable - that's all that is needed.

This would be my view too. Make a decision based on what you feel comfortable with. The actual likelihood of something awful happening is very small.

I would. keep to well lit road.
bo nouse cancelling headphones.
whatsapp follow my route or similar to dh.

it's great exercise

@girlmom21 I have read the op”s post so I know what the thread is about. I posted to say what I would do in this situation, which is get a lift. The op asked for advice.

Depends on the route! A busy road with traffic, shops, takeaways, bars etc then yes fine but not a really quiet road with no houses, loads of trees etc

I'd walk, and not think twice about it here (shabby area of East London). There are places I wouldn't walk at night, but if you know your area and feel safe walking then I don't see a problem.

I love walking in the dark at this time of day.
You know where you live best and if it is safe or not.
Take precautions if necessary, ie text when you leave, share your route etc; I know life seems scary at times, but the UK is still a relatively safe place to be a woman.

Unless he's physically too ill, your husband should just drive and get you. You can't afford a taxi, and a woman walking alone in the dark for 45 mins is less safe than a Covid positive person driving alone in their own car.

@narcdad
@girlmom21

Don’t be obtuse. My husband doesn’t get to choose. He cares about my safety and I appreciate that. There’s nothing bizarre about that. Other posters can assess their own risk and do as they choose. The poster asked what we thought, hence my answer. I’m more than capable of making my own decisions.

As a victim of stranger rape on an early evening walk, there is no way I'd do it. But the chances that anything bad happens are vanishingly small, so I'm certain you'll be just fine and might even enjoy the walk.

The idiots in earlier posts who compare it to getting knocked down or a traffic accident as part of the problem why violence against women is not treated seriously. I've been in a serious car crash, that was a lot easier to cope with.

Busy roads that are well lit? Then yes I would. I agree with a pp that it’s a measured risk.

The thing that would make me want a lift is very busy roads. Somewhere like London north circular would be nasty.

Taxi or perhaps a friend. If you do walk may I suggest a personal alarm on your keyring

[quote Wendybyrdesmissingconscience]@narcdad
@girlmom21

Don’t be obtuse. My husband doesn’t get to choose. He cares about my safety and I appreciate that. There’s nothing bizarre about that. Other posters can assess their own risk and do as they choose. The poster asked what we thought, hence my answer. I’m more than capable of making my own decisions.[/quote]
I wasn't being obtuse, I was genuinely baffled that your husband wouldn't dream of you walking alone in the dark.

My husband also cares about my safety, doesn't mean he cares any less because I'm a grown woman who can walk in darkness.

I’d add that it’s your decision, not for your DH to decide

@narcdad how about you do you and I’ll do as I see fit. Having worked in law enforcement for sixty years between us, we’d rather not take the chance. Each to their own. 😊

Can you cycle?

I would, and I do all the time.

It's awful that fear of these very rare incidents can limit our lives. It's awful they happen, but the fear they create in the female population is worse. The reality is they are rare, and you are probably a lot more likely to end up in car accident. It's your decision, not your DH.

@WindyState But who would actually catch you? The chances of being caught driving a couple of miles in a car to collect your wife from work while having Covid are virtually non existent. Even if you were pulled over for some reason (like you'd downed a bottle of wine before setting off and were veering all over the road), you're not likely to say "Ok, it's a fair cop, and by the way, I've got Covid, too".

Nobody will actually know unless you are in an accident that would involve immediate hospitalisation. In which case Covid would be the least of the problems.

@Boood because she can't drive? says so in her posts.

If I could walk for 45 minutes I would, but I can't so I'd get a cab.

Unless you're about to drop the detail that were you live is controlled by IS or something why wouldn't you walk.

I can't believe there are people here basically saying women shouldn't go out without male supervision after 5pm.

*I can't believe there are people here basically saying women shouldn't go out without male supervision after 5pm.

Posted by accident.

It’s depressing.

I’m real life, around here I’m often out alone after dark and see other lone women out walking dogs or running. That encourages me that not everyone stays in.

[quote Wendybyrdesmissingconscience]@narcdad
@girlmom21

Don’t be obtuse. My husband doesn’t get to choose. He cares about my safety and I appreciate that. There’s nothing bizarre about that. Other posters can assess their own risk and do as they choose. The poster asked what we thought, hence my answer. I’m more than capable of making my own decisions.[/quote]
Nothing wrong with that at all.

If your DH usually drives you because of the risk of attacks then that risk hasn’t just vanished. Either he still picks you up, with COVID, or you get a taxi.
If you have have always felt safe and accept the lift just because it’s offered then walk.