• You should follow basic safety rules as a pedestrian on the road.dune walker"s legs image by Accent from Fotolia.com
  
  Roads aren't the ideal place to walk, but when sidewalks aren't available, it's still possible to share the busy roadways safely. It's important to know and follow all safety rules, be they city and state ordinances, or just plain common sense. You should always walk defensively, as if you are the only one aware, or even concerned, about the law that says pedestrians have the right of way.
  
  

Communication: Eye Contact

• Communication between travelers is essential, so make eye contact with oncoming drivers or bikers. This will give you the best indication of the driver's intentions and vice versa. If the party in the vehicle or on the bike smiles at you and nods her head, she is cordially inviting you to cross the road. If her expression indicates that she does not wish to let you cross, don't argue; yield to her, even if you have the light.
  
  

Valuables

• Carrying jewelry with you on your walk is risky. You could drop it, and it might make you a target for muggers. However, you should carry a cell phone and some money with you--although not a large amount--in case of an emergency, especially at night.
  
  

Emergency Vehicles

• According to the Hotelfun4kids website, should you hear the siren of a first-responder vehicle, find someplace safe away from the road and stop. Look for other first-responder vehicles, as there could be several. Wait until the last one in the fleet passes by, then resume your walk.
  
  

Keep Right

• Keep to the right of the road. Always walk on the side of the road facing traffic, according to the Hotelfun4kids website. Also, walk as close to the edge of the road as possible. This is so that drivers can see you.
  
  

Reflective Clothing After Dark

• Wear light-colored clothes after dark. According to a "Runners World" article, night drivers, or those en route to work in the morning hours before dawn, are usually not attentive to pedestrians in the road. Wear light colors, such as pink, yellow, orange or light blue. Stay away from navy blue, black or dark brown, as these colors will make you virtually invisible to drivers or bikers and at increased risk for becoming the target of an accident.