Face traffic. It's easier to see, and react to, oncoming cars. And cars will see you more clearly too.

Make room. If traffic gets heavy, or the road narrows, be prepared to move onto the sidewalk or shoulder of the road.

Be seen. Wear high-visibility, brightly colored clothing. When out near or after sunset, reflective materials are a must. (If you don't own reflective clothing, a lightweight reflective vest is a great option.) And use a headlamp or handheld light so you can see where you're going, and drivers can see you. The light should have a bright LED (drivers see blinking red as a hazard).

Unplug your ears. Avoid using iPods or wearing headphones-you need to be able to hear approaching vehicles. If you do use headphones, run with the volume low and just one ear bud in.

Watch the hills. When they crest hills, drivers' vision can suddenly be impaired by factors like sun glare or backdrops.

Watch for early birds and night owls. At odd hours be extra careful. Early in the morning and very late at night, people may be overtired and not as attentive.Take the lead in promoting road safety, not road rage. "Always be courteous and follow traffic regulations to encourage a positive image of runners to the nonrunning public. Acknowledge drivers with a polite wave if they move over to the other side of the road for you. They will feel more inclined to do it again for someone else.

1/2 MILE
Running with a headlamp or handheld light is the smartest way to make yourself visible. The whitish beam is a color that the eye sees clearly at night. And with your motion causing the light to move-the headlamp a little, the handheld a lot-a driver should recognize you as a runner.

1/4 MILE
If you don't feel comfortable wearing a headlamp or holding a flashlight, at least run with a reflective vest or a blinking red light. Drivers won't always identify you as a runner, but they'll have a hard time ignoring your motion. The light should have a bright LED (drivers see blinking red as a hazard), and the reflective material should cover half of the vest.

150 YARDS
A brightly colored jacket or top will help get a driver's attention. Yellowish green or bright orange are your best bets. Reflective panels on the sleeves can allow a driver to better detect your motion.

100 YARDS
At any distance within 100 yards, you put yourself at the mercy of a driver's reaction time. Do yourself a favor and wear clothes and shoes that have some reflective details.

50 FEET
Although a white T-shirt becomes visible before a dark one does, the difference is negligible-especially if a driver is going at a fast clip.

30-40 FEET
You're asking for trouble by running in dark pants and a dark shirt. Drivers won't notice you until they're dangerously close