Walking Alone in the Dark

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Would you walk back from your university at 10pm, by yourself if it took 4 to 5 minutes, on a well lit main road?

10pm is when most of the society meetings at my university finish and while I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't even worry about this, I do. I know I could get a taxi but it would be a 1 or 2 minute taxi ride which seems a little bit silly. So, is walking in a city at this time something you would do or would you get a taxi? (I don't know anyone in the society yet, so of course, if I find out people live on the same street as me I'll walk with them but I can't factor that in at the minute!)

It will get dark at 4pm soon so I say pair up with someone a strong and fearless (wo)man that will save you from the random shadowcreeper.

Reply 21

Kre

I'd walk home at 10PM alone. I'm a badass like that.

Reply 22

SillyEddy

My male friend was recently mugged at knife point in Manchester. No doubt a freak accident, but it does happen.

I walk home from the local town, but it's a 4-5 minute walk and I've never heard of any trouble around here. If in doubt, get a taxi or find some friends to go back with.

Reply 23

kpwxx

It depends on the place (both city and road). You say all the societies let out around the same time. Even if no-one lives on your street specifically, there will almost certainly be people walking down the main road for the five minutes you need. Or how about arranging to go with a flatmate for the first time at least till you sort it out.

The thing is it's very subjective. I would prefer to be with someone at ten where I live but I would still feel relatively safe walking up to 20 minutes from home as it's full of various people even in to the early hours in some directions. But if it was small back roads I'd try and avoid it more (though I still think it's very unlikely anything would happen in my city).

As someone has mentioned some unis offer a chaperone thing where security will escort you to nearby places. This is probably more fitting to your situation if you decide you don't want to walk alone, as a taxi would cost a lot of money for a 1 minute ride. I mean, for perspective, I'd say 'get a bus' but the bus stop would likely be further away from your flat than your uni is. In fact my bus stop was 9 minutes away from my house last year and I walked that alone, though not usually any later than 8pm.

xxx

Reply 24

Jack93o

Original post by sheeesh

Are you people for real? It's a 10pm on a well-lit main road, not 3am in a dark alleyway in Brixton. I'm really baffled by the responses in this thread, and I can't be the only one :s-smilie:

tbh 10pm and 3am are fairly similar in that there aren't going to be many cars driving around and that its going to be really quiet with noone around

Reply 25

Jack93o

Original post by You Failed

Equally confused. I frequently stumble my way half way across London at about 2am and don't think twice about it. I mean that's definitely not that safe a thing to do but worrying about a 5 min walk at 10pm on a main road seems very silly...

Yeah I feel the same as well but maybe thats because its london, there are usually still loads of cars and people around, not to mention all the cctv and all the bright lights everywhere.

Reply 26

Penguinsaysquack

I'm male so less chance of being raped (but not nil) and could be mugged.

This is amplified by me living in East London (I live in an ok area.. but there are definitely areas to avoid)

I am happy to walk home alone, but I don't take chances. I stick to main roads where I can and avoid certain areas.

My post is more about late at night (2/3 am etc).. 10pm is fine normally.

It's better to be safe than sorry.. but ask older years and they'll advise you on routes/precautions etc :smile:

Reply 27

Aaron_xyz

Sing military cadences as you walk back, will instantly echo fear in to anyone who would want to hurt you.

Reply 28

Em8980

I might walk it if there were a lot of people around, but I'd probably ring someone and stay on the phone to them all the way. But I don't recommend taking the chance if you don't feel safe. Just always have money for a taxi on you when you go to a society meeting.

Reply 29

Unconventional.

Yeah, I would. As you said it's a well-lit main road, it's only a few minutes, and in a safe area. I would feel safe in that environment but remain vigilant nonetheless. I always keep a personal attack alarm on me (usually in my pocket with my hand on it) when walking home alone at night. You can get them free from the police I think. Also obviously don't do anything silly like flash valuables or wear headphones (could distract you from people nearby/traffic/whatever). Of course it would be better to try and walk down with other students if possible though.

Reply 30

poyyo

Original post by paddyraggy1993

Men are statistically more likely to be assaulted than woman. The notion that men are invincible and don't need protection is one of the most pervasive and dangerous in modern society.
Everyone needs to take proper precautions care, regardless of sex/gender.

are you for real

Reply 31

pheonix65

Original post by Lenry

If you're that scared then buy a taser or pepper spray... If you're absolutley terrified then hire a bodyguard. Or if you're really distressed buy a rape alarm, flare gun and all of the other items mentioned. But if i were you i'd honestly save myself money and just walk it.

Althought i believe that carrying a rape alarm is good for both males and females, i dont believe that pepper spray, taser or a flare gun is a good idea.

U might not get a chance to reach for your 'weapon' and in some cases becuase of ur relucatance to use it doesnt mean that ur attacker wont take and use it bk on u.

Best advice is to walk in a group, use a rape alarm, avoid back alleys, stay in the light and on the roads and avoid parks and communial areas not associated with the uni itself

Reply 32

RosieH7

Original post by Costalo

From what I've seen in the news latley about students being attacked (2 in Nottingham centre!) I'd find someone you can walk home with. It's sad that females can't feel safe when walking alone at night in the 21st century. If you can't get a friend to walk home with you, get a taxi. If you've no money for a taxi, speedwalk or walk like a butch lesbian. Carry a rape alarm on your key ring in your hand so you access to it quickly, and maybe keep a sharp pointed object - such as a mathematical compass, hidden in your pocket. That way if someone does grab you, you'll have something to defend yourself with. Stab them in the face/eye/groin, hard, then run. Make sure you cut them visually so they'll be recognised by the police. But if you take pre-cautions you should never be in that situation. Make sure you've always got change for the bus/taxi.

I second this. Plus I don't know if this helps but for many smart phones you can get apps which are supposed to protect you. For example I have one where if i'm lost/don't come in my parents or whoever can text a word to my phone which sends them my gps location, something similar if you feel threatened you can activate an app which sends a message to whoever from your contact list you've chosen saying 'hi i've walked home and i am 'blahblahgps' but I feel uncomfortable/i may be being followed' so I suppose you and a friend could maybe have each other on this system and ring each other when you know you're safe like a buddy system, just thought that that might help.

Reply 33

whatsername2009

I'm female and I'd be happy to walk it on my own, but then my uni is in a pretty safe city with plenty of people around, even fairly late at night. Still, there's no harm in asking if anyone else is going the same way as you, and if not then you can always call a taxi. On the other hand, in a few months' time it's going to be dark from around 4pm, so you're almost certainly going to have to walk around on your own in the dark at some point. Perhaps it's just something you need to get used to.

Reply 34

MancBoy

Wow I think you're overreacting a bit here. You suburban kids are funny! It's only a few minutes walk and you're in a safe city. I would only get a taxi if you have to walk through the inner city slums of a rough city i.e Nottingham, Manchester, London etc. and even then a taxi would be worst case scenario. If you're that scared then walk with people or a friend?

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 35

That Bearded Man

I've walked back at 5am alone a good few times

Reply 36

Dorito

I always walk home on my own at night, at like 3am. I know I probably shouldn't but I've never had anything happen to me! Stick to well lit, main roads and only take a route you are familiar with. Obviously it is better to walk home with somebody else but if not then send a simple text to your housemate saying ''will be home in 10 minutes'' just so somebody knows where you are.

Reply 37

Dorito

also, I've had many drunk people (mostly girls but some lads too) approach me on my walk home asking if they can walk with me as they don't want to walk on their own. Had some pretty interesting conversations with them in our drunken state. Maybe you could do that, takes a special kind of nob head to turn around and say ''No, walk on your own''. :tongue:

Reply 38

SkinnyKat

Do you think it's safe to walk through rows of terrace houses? To get to mine from the bus stop, I have to walk through 2 or 3 rows of houses (takes about 5mins). The streets are terribly dark because the street lamps are rubbish which is why I'm concerned. I know there are houses on either side with people in them but the darkness makes everything more frightening. It's quite creepy.

Do people get attacked in residential areas much? Would the houses put potential attackers off? Even past 1am?

Reply 39

kikko

I've had to do this countless times from late studio nights, so ranging from whenever 10pm-4am. 15 minute walk in first year off main road, onto small alleyway behind park to halls (i didn't feel this was a good location at all, I had to be constantly on the phone on the way home otherwise I felt a bit creeped out). 5 minute walk in 2nd and 3rd year - this was much easier walk home, couple streets of houses some street lamps but also quiet. I got used to it, but my housemate couldn't and as we're on the same course if shes working late I will walk her home. (Female.)