I must say I complain about Monty's need to say hello to other dogs while off lead but Run away, never .
The only time he is off lead is in a safe envirement, although this can mean 3 miles of fields and woods. He will always run to say hello to any dog but unless it's very playful, usually comes back within a couple of minutes. If we are out and there are no dogs about he rarely strays as far as 10 yards away. He always keeps an eye on me and if I change direction he's back there with me.
However there is no way I would ever trust him out on the open road. I cringe every time I see someone with a dog off lead walking on the road side. It only takes once, to regret it, who knows what may suddenly make a previously obediant dog to suddenly take off.