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Comment by thrownaway2424 | Hacker News Reader

"but if you're running in crowded times or places it's irresponsible to deafen yourself"

Odd that every car sold today is marketed on the basis of being quiet inside and having a deafening sound system. Why is it so important for runners to have their senses of hearing? So that they don't inadvertently get murdered by the functionally deaf in cars?

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although it of course also may happen in normal traffic, dogs, children, bikes, and other joggers suddenly appearing in your path can happen a few dozen times on a long run, if you're in a crowded place.

Dogs are the worst. As a former dog owner I know what it's like to love one, but they're still territorial animals and a considerable safety concern when not properly leashed or fenced. Older runners have even been mauled to death by dogs whose owners didn't see fit to restrain them.

The consequences of failing to pay attention in the car is offset by the seatbelt, crumple zones and airbag.

As a pedestrian getting hit by or running into a car will likely kill you.

You just explained why. Drivers aren't going to hear or see you, so you have to pay more attention to avoid them.

Yeah but victim blaming isn't helping the situation. Drivers create a dangerous streetscape. They need to own responsibility for that. Harping on headphones, cyclists without helmets, or "distracted walking" is not a positive response.

We should consider it personally as far as our individual risk assessments go, but it should never be a talking point, because it makes it seem like drivers shouldn't be responsible for paying attention.

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