Just because you can legally walk the road does not mean you should.

[walkthisway0]

Firstly I am in Ireland, but google makes me think it is the same in the UK.

Around where I live there are plenty of very busy, narrow, country roads that are 80km (50mph). Filled with many cars, tractors, lorries etc.

Some people walk these roads or run on them. I know legally they are allowed to but I think it is pure madness. There is one person who is often out walking with a baby in a pram. I have had to stop and wait to pass as there is a stream of traffic coming the other way. But I have also nearly been hit by a lorry who coming around a bend met her and over took as he would never have stopped in time.

I don't go around corners at 80km but I proceed as 'expecting something to be there' but it's still a shock to find a lorry on your side!

There is also a person who regularly runs towards the traffic (as recommended) in roughly the middle of the lane and does not move closer to the side.

I pass other people who are aware of the traffic around themselves and adjust. When my car was broken I walked into town a few times and would step in when a car came.

AIBU to think that while yes you are legally allowed to do this, no it is not a good idea?

You tell the council that then. I'd love to hear their response.

She's basically telling pedestrians to stay at home because it inconveniences her rather than lobbying her local council/central government (whoever is responsible in Ireland) to improve things.

The issue here, as far as I’m concerned, is the ridiculously high speed limit on narrow rural roads. I live on the outskirts of Belfast and people regularly ask for recommendations of places to go for a walk/run and I’m horrified when they are directed towards our local network of winding country roads. They SHOULD be able to use those roads, but it is extremely dangerous. Perhaps the speed limit should be reduced to make it safer for everyone. I drive very carefully along those roads and have still been taken unawares by someone out for a stroll. The problem is, I can be as vigilant as I like, but there are plenty of maniacs on the road who don’t give a toss.

I mean I wouldn't walk along and A road with no pavement and I'd try and avoid B roads but I think you have to expect walkers in the countryside. Lots of footpaths don't line up exactly so even if someone had planned a walk mainly on footpaths they would still sometimes be on the road.

Certainly where I live in the countryside, a speed limit doesn't tell you it's safe to drive at that speed.

Ha ha. Yes, get a helicopter to your nearest A road and leave the rest of us in peace!

Ha! You expect someone with a pram who doesn't drive to wait and go out once a week because a driver can't be arsed to share the road with other legal users? Away with you!

Exactly, here in Cumbria all the rural lanes are NSL. Even dropping the limit down to 40 would help, I think, but it'll never happen.

They are entitled to be on the road and may not have other options. You should drive more carefully and with expectation of finding others in the road. They have priority.

But how are you supposed to get from A to B if you don't own a car and live near these roads? My DSD lives on a new-build estate, built almost in the middle of nowhere. In order to get to the "corner shop", she needs to walk on one of these roads. Should she get an Uber 1 minute down the road and back in order to buy some milk?

How absolutely stifling to not be able to walk anywhere. Drivers need to drive with more care.

And how horrible to criticise people for having leisure time or exercising.

Sounds the country road needs speed reduction to accomodate all legitimate traffic.

Yes, it isn't that safe for the pedestrians, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't be there. It means that the cars need to go slower.

good for you. Other people don't have that option.

Walking with your baby in the countryside, thays the point. We chose village out of London for kids childhood, so they have fresh air, green space and all this

I used to have a great buggy and called it my 4by4. It has been through hills, cliffs, forests and country lanes all over England, by the time I finished with it, was a well used wreck

This is why pedestrians then should walk on the right hand side of the road, and choose safe times to walk such as daytime and not at night. It can't be avoided sometimes.

I don’t think the issue is people walking in the roads but their attitudes instead. On my way to work I go down a few country roads and the entitlement of some people is shocking. Just walking literally in the middle of the road because they don’t want to stand in a bit of a ditch when a car goes past. I couldn’t imagine not standing to one side, all it will take is a clip from a wing mirror and you can be seriously hurt. People letting their dogs walk in the road too absolutely baffles me. I’d have them as close to the side as possible! I honestly think some people actually want to have run-in with a motorist just for a bit of insurance money.

100% this. The fault is with the infrastructure not the walkers.

There are no footpaths around us, you have to walk/run on the roads. Also can’t stay on the edge as there are so many potholes you end up in the middle of the lane anyway. I would love to walk across the fields but the farmer has put signs up to keep everyone out even though there are tracks. Last time I ran on the tracks he stopped and told me to get off his land. It’s not always clear cut or easy.

You’ve completely made that up. Her OP says that she knows it’s allowed, but thinks it’s unsafe/not a good idea.

And all of this is why I live in London, where I can easily go for morning runs in parks or walk from home to hills & rivers.

How do teenagers cope living in places like this before they’re old enough to drive?

She's saying pedestrians shouldn't go on those roads. I didn't make that up.

The village I grew up in had no pavements. There was no choice but to walk on the road. Unless you only ever left the house in a car

Sorry, my post clearly wasn't clear. I lived in the countryside for years, and totally recognise the need to walk on the roads, and have done many a time.

The point I was trying to make was that even if one did plan to mainly use footpaths you would STILL be on the road some of the time, so it wouldn't somehow eliminate the problem.

YABU. I live in a village, much of which has no pavements. 3 of the 4 roads leading out of the village are single-track roads. I am perfectly entitled to use them as a pedestrian. If I am walking or running along them I can hear a car coming and I get out of the way before it gets anywhere near me. I also drive on these roads and I know there will be pedestrians and dogs (plus sometimes a random sheep or a deer and almost always a bunch of dozy pheasants). Humans are much better at getting out of the way than animals.

I lived rurally when I was younger. If you wanted to go somewhere you had to walk on the roads. As a driver on those roads, I was aware of it. You might also come across horses so you had to be prepared. If you can’t drive aware, you shouldn’t be on the roads.