*mod* before it gets any more personal lets count to 10 and think, before hitting post reply. This isn't the helmet thread or SC&P so lets keep it to point.
The word busy is in the OP and it has no edit history noted, the clarity of whatever we choose to call the pavement is not, so let's call it a score draw and move on nicely. *end mod*
*just me* I've never yet seen someone running in a busy road amongst motor vehicles and I live quite urban.
Quiet backroads yes but self preservation still seems to be working in Oldham and surrounds.
Also if it is increasingly common and so hazardous there's surprisingly few (none I recall) reports of killed and injured runners filtering through the local media and social media outlets, which for a fairly new craze you would rather expect to be newsworthy.
I've no more problem as a driver with a runner in the road than a mobility scooter or me pottering along on my bike and as long as they're clear in their intentions; and lit accordingly in the dark; I'm happy.
I should be aware and alert for the unexpected anyway and driving in a manner to safely mitigate others decisions if they cause a possible conflict of interest.
I may not choose to do the same if I was out there running but if they are comfortable running there, then I'm happy to live and let live.