SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 66: Walk Safely Along a Road Without a Pavement

Some countryside routes include short stretches of road where there is no pavement or verge wide enough to walk on. These sections can be uncomfortable, especially when traffic approaches quickly or bends restrict visibility.

Your challenge is to learn the correct precautions and practise assessing whether a road section is suitable for walking. Safety comes first: you do not need to walk along a dangerous road to complete this challenge.

Your Challenge

Learn the main Highway Code guidance for pedestrians on roads without pavements, then assess a suitable road section or practise the decisions you would make before walking one.

What You’ll Need

• A copy of the Highway Code guidance for pedestrians
• A safe place to observe a road from off the carriageway
• Bright or reflective clothing if you are assessing visibility
• A companion, if appropriate

Take the Challenge

1. Look for a safer alternative first. Use a pavement or footpath wherever one is available. Before planning a walk that includes a road without a pavement, check whether a safer alternative route exists. Avoid narrow, fast or heavily trafficked roads where there is no safe space for pedestrians.
2. Learn which side to use. The Highway Code says that where there is no pavement, pedestrians should keep to the right-hand side of the road so they can see oncoming traffic. Keep close to the side while leaving yourself room to move away from vehicles.
3. Understand when to walk in single file. Be prepared to walk one behind another, particularly on narrow roads, in poor light or where traffic is present. If walking in a group, make sure everyone understands the plan and can hear instructions.
4. Recognise bends and limited visibility. Drivers need enough time to see you and react. The Highway Code advises that it may be safer to cross before a sharp right-hand bend so approaching drivers have a better chance of seeing you, then cross back after the bend. Only do this if you can cross safely; never step into traffic just to follow a rule mechanically.
5. Make yourself visible. In poor daylight, wear or carry light-coloured, bright or fluorescent clothing. In darkness, use reflective materials that can be seen in headlights. Carry a suitable light where needed, and do not assume that reflective clothing makes a dangerous road safe.
6. Practise your decision-making. From a safe position away from traffic, assess a road section. Consider the width, bends, visibility, traffic speed and whether there is somewhere to step well clear of vehicles. Decide whether you would walk it, find another route or turn back.
7. Stay alert. Keep your attention on traffic and avoid distractions such as looking at your phone or wearing headphones that prevent you hearing vehicles. Never walk on motorways or slip roads except in an emergency.

The Highway Code applies across Great Britain, with separate official guidance published for Northern Ireland. Check the guidance relevant to where you are walking.

Check Your Results

Check your understanding against these points:

• Do you know which side of the road to use when there is no pavement?
• Can you explain when to walk in single file?
• Do you know why bends and poor visibility increase the risk?
• Can you explain the difference between fluorescent and reflective clothing?
• Can you recognise when a road is too dangerous to walk along?

Complete the Challenge

Your challenge is complete when you can explain the key safety rules and assess a road section, identifying at least three factors that would affect your decision to walk it.

Take a photograph of your high-visibility clothing or a road section viewed from a safe place well away from traffic. Never stand in the carriageway to take your evidence.

How to Submit Your Challenge

Submit your evidence

1. Go to your SGUK member profile.
2. Open Social Activity.
3. Upload a photograph of your evidence to the activity wall.
4. Add the hashtag #SGUKChallenge66.
5. Share it for verification.

Challenge 66 Checklist

Want to Push Yourself?

Plan a countryside walk that includes a road crossing or a short road section. Find a safer alternative wherever possible, and explain how you would handle any unavoidable section without a pavement.

What’s Next?

If you haven’t completed the previous challenge, try SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 65: Check for Widow-Makers After Autumn Gales. You can complete the SGUK Challenges in any order.

Once you’ve shared your evidence and it has been verified, the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 66 is complete and the completed challenges figure will be updated on your profile.

Learn. Practise. Master.

That’s what the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge is all about.