Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

WALKING AT NIGHT

Visibility, Vulnerability, and the Unspoken Rules of the Road

Darkness doesn’t forgive oversight. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores the tension between pedestrian rights and nighttime safety, and how visibility can mean the difference between life and tragedy.

This essay will be a divergence from previous ones as this is a rant and not an essay. So, stop reading here if you wish.

It is dark and it is about 10 pm. We are leaving our daughter’s home to go home to our place. The roads are narrow, with parking on both sides, so meeting a car requires that one driver give way by finding a spot on the curb for the other to pass. The space naturally increases when you come to a crossroads as you cannot park by the 4-way stop sign.

The oncoming car has the right-of-way because they arrived at the stop sign first, so we must give way and move to the right for them to pass. Yet, we have plenty of room to continue our journey through the intersection.

THEN

Appearing in the headlights is a woman walking, dressed all in black, walking on a blacktop road and expecting to be seen clearly. She is waving her arms wildly as though it is evident she is there and, as a pedestrian, must have the right of way! My husband’s lightning reflexes propel the swerve that saves her life. Again, she does not make any effort to move toward the curb. She is marching furiously forward, waving her arms like crazy. REALLY!!

When my heart stops pounding, I am furious. I have no desire to kill pedestrians. But!!

• Pitch black.
• No streetlights.
• Black clothing head to toe, including a hoody showing only a whisp of grey hair.
• Waving wildly that she has the right of way as a pedestrian.

Does she have a death wish and is suddenly conflicted?

Is she so self-absorbed that the recommendation to wear a reflective vest at night does not apply to her?

Does she go home complaining that some driver almost hit her?

Will my heart stop pounding?

Want to explore how to walk safely at night and improve visibility? Visit Safety Technology’s guide to nighttime walking safety, ReflecToes’ tips for pedestrian visibility, and Guardian Angel Devices’ winter night-walking safety guide.

If you’re processing fear, frustration, or emotional intensity after a close call, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support emotional regulation and trauma recovery.