Safety First

In Ireland, there are many people out walking, bike-riding, and running.  There are sidewalks in many areas, but there are many small roads with no sidewalks and with hedges so close to the road that you have to walk on the road if you are out and about on that street. 

There is a HUGE push in Ireland for wearing safety vests.  (Hiram would fit right in here!)  These vests are handed out at a lot of events, and people wear them ALL the time.  I am thankful that they do, because the dark of night is NOT a deterrent to walking, biking, or running on the streets of Ireland!!  We see people out for jogs and bike rides at 9 at night, even in the winter months.  I have said it before and I'll say it again, the Irish are a hardy people!

Also, people who are out and about expect the drivers to yield the right of way and to slow down and drive carefully around them.  Still, I wouldn't just walk out in front of cars - people don't usually do that, but if there is a cross-walk, a driver must be wary of persons who may enter the road to cross.  Of course, in places like Dublin, I would not advise just walking out and expecting cars to stop...