How to Walk on a Country Road

As an eHow expert I spend most of my time writing about photography and imaging-however, this article deals with common sense. I have had the privilege to live in cities like Pittsburgh, New York, Dallas and Los Angeles. I have also had the privilege of living in the mountains for about 10 years. I don't blame city folk for not knowing how to do basic "country" things, but I do expect them to learn if they want to survive out here. One basic survival skill is to knowing how to walk on a country road. Author Stephen King was nearly killed being hit from behind while walking on a country road. So, read on to learn the basic rules of the road. Remember, we know who you are-we just have to watch you walk down the road.

Things You'll Need

  • A willingness to adapt
  • An open mind
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Instructions

    • 1

      There are no sidewalks in the country. In the city it is not important to walk facing traffic since you are on a sidewalk. I would still do it because every now and then a crazy will jump a curb and kill someone. So here is the golden rule: WALK FACING TRAFFIC! There, that isn't so hard, is it? Yes, even if it is not the sunny side of the street, walk facing traffic. Why? Because you can see the cars and you can step off the road. This is even more important with the surge in hybrid vehicles and electric cars. I saw a Prius driving down the road and all I could hear were the tires crushing some loose gravel. Always walk facing traffic; there are no exceptions to this rule if you want to be safe.

    • 2

      It is easy to see why city folk don't know this. They never strolled down a country road as a kid and have their parents tell them the one golden rule. Their parents got them bikes and like good parents they gave them bike safety courses. People learned that when riding a bike you always ride with traffic. This is true for a bike, which is a vehicle. Human beings are not vehicles; they are pedestrians. And what do pedestrians do? They WALK FACING TRAFFIC!

    • 3

      OK, now this really bothers me. Dogs are not people; they depend on people to train them. Dog trainers tell owners to make their dogs heel at their side. Trainers tell dog owners that it doesn't matter which side the dog heels to as long as the owner is consistent. I agree; consistency is the key. However, if you live in the country you need to train your dog TO HEEL TO THE LEFT. The reason for this is that if you WALK FACING TRAFFIC and you have your dog heel to your right, the dog will be in the middle of the road. I actually saw traffic stopped on a road because two people were walking the wrong way on opposite sides of the street and the two dogs were both in the center of the street. My dog is so well-trained that even when he is off the leash like in this picture, he will walk to the left. This is important for the safety of the dog; you always want to be between your dog and the road. Besides, that is where all the trees and deer poop are and those are the things your dog likes. So the golden rule is to walk facing traffic and make your dog heel to your left. If you do that-we will think you belong here and won't mock you after we pass you by.