I like to jog on city streets a couple of times per week. After reading the latest pedestrian death statistics, I am going to rethink how to get my aerobic exercise. According to recent findings, some 4,300 people died when hit by cars in 2010. That is a 4% growth over 2009 and reverses a trend that has less people dying since 2005. On my two miles running course there are a couple of hills where I have to be very careful. Even though I am running just a few inches off the side of the road drivers come up and down those hills with no idea of what is on the other side. I am always ready to jump off the road if necessary. Many times I have. The 35 miles an hour speed limit by many of those drivers is ignored. They go into the hill blind at speeds of 50 miles per hour or even more. It makes no sense. Not only am I at risk as a jogger but what would happen if another vehicle was stalled or stopped or how about a bicyclist? 75% of the pedestrian deaths are accounted for in urban areas. Next month the NHTSA is going to hold a global conference to finalize safety standards that might include changing bumpers and hoods to lessen the impact if a pedestrian is hit. That might help but the real issue is drivers are not thinking. Many auto makers want to lessen the danger by focusing on crash-avoidance technology. That’s a good idea but drivers need to be aware that the roads are used for more than just vehicles. Slow down and realize there might be something over the top of hill. As Sgt. Phil Esterhaus used to say every week on Hill Street Blues, “let’s be careful out there.”Road Running