Police in Shanghai are warning morning joggers to avoid running along the side of the road, as two people were hit by cars and killed while exercising in the city since the start of October.

Police said both of the men were jogging when they were killed.

The first accident happened about 4:50 AM on October 3 on Wenxi Road.

The victim, surnamed Peng, was knocked down by a taxi that was driving in the same direction he was running.

The second death occurred on October 20, when a cargo van ran head on into a jogger surnamed Chen at the intersection of Gonghexin and Zhonghuaxin roads.

Police said both of the joggers lived in old residential complexes that didn't have enough space or any facilities for doing morning exercises.

Police said managers of old residential complexes should consider renovations to provide space for regular exercisers.

Those who live in old complexes should walk to a nearby park to do exercises instead of jogging along the street, police warned.

Officers are also telling drivers to pay extra attention early in the morning to avoid hitting runners.

They said that is especially important for drivers with little experience.

"Vision is poorer in the early hours of the day. For inexperienced drivers, it would be more difficult to respond quickly when they suddenly come across a runner," one officer said.

Both of the dead joggers were hit by inexperienced drivers.

(Shanghai Daily November 23, 2005)