DEAR ABBY: Just a few more words on the dangers of wearing headphones while jogging. Joggers, especially females, need to realize how many abductions involve cars. I was recently in a personal defense class. We collected newspaper articles concerning abductions and rapes. More than half of those we found involved women being pulled off the sidewalk into cars.
Headphones keep a jogger from realizing that a car has pulled up beside her until it is too late to react. Listening to music also can take the jogger's mind off her surroundings. A car that is "stalking" her may have passed her four or five times, and she wouldn't notice.
Along the same lines, I would encourage anyone, male or female, who walks or jogs alone -- especially at night -- to take a personal defense course at the local community college, YMCA, or wherever it is offered. You will learn many tips on how to minimize the risk of being abducted and/or raped, as well as some physical defense techniques. -- A DEFENSIVE WALKER, NOVATO, CALIF.
DEAR WALKER: Another tip for anyone who walks, runs or jogs on a road or street where vehicles also travel: Walk, run or jog facing the oncoming traffic on the LEFT side of the road -- never in the same direction the cars are moving.