This summer I was walking along a campground road where there are no sidewalks. Suddenly, feeling a presence behind me, I looked back behind me,and suprise! there was a car driven by an elderly couple no less than 2 feet from my back.
Remember, that even when crossing the street and looking both ways, there may be curves that hide the sight of an approaching vehicle, but we can hear the engine coming, and the louder the noise the faster the car.
The lack of warning noise from electric cars present a real problem in my opinion.
I do five mile walks with an iPod. I am completely aware, the entire time of what is around me. But my head is on a swivel. I know, given the speed limit and stretch of road, the frequency that I need to look back and see if there is anything coming up on me .When it is darker, I keep my eyes peeled for any light illuminating anything from behind.
If something appears and I am not on a sidewalk, I jump into the vegetation on the side of the road and wait until the car goes by.
I view it as my responsibility.