Driver Awareness
TRAIN YOUR BRAIN: Thinking about motorcycles can help you see them
Many drivers don’t see motorcycles, or even think they’ll be driving around them. People who ride motorcycles or have family members who ride are more likely to see motorcycles in traffic. So, you can train your brain to help you see motorcycles by thinking about them or your friend or family member who rides.
You can even try noticing a feature about motorcycles – say, whether or not the rider is wearing a helmet, or what style of motorcycle he or she is riding. Thinking about elements like these can help you stay attuned to motorcycles on the road.
SEE MOTORCYCLES: Keep your eyes moving – don’t fixate on one spot
Ever heard of motion-induced blindness? It’s an optical illusion that can make things seem to disappear. It happens when your brain is ignoring or discarding information – which it could be about motorcycles if you’re not thinking about them. We are really looking for cars, but not so much for motorcycles. By clicking on the picture to the left or here, you can watch a demonstration.
TIPS FOR DRIVING AROUND MOTORCYCLES
If a car can disappear in your blind spot, a motorcycle can really disappear.
Focus on the road — distractions can be deadly for you and other roadway users.
Take the time to look twice for motorcycles – you just might save a life.
Unless you ride, you probably haven’t considered what it’s like to be a motorcyclist in a sea of cars.
Watch this video to get some idea of what it’s like – and the next time you hit the road, remember what you see here and share the road with motorcycles.
For more information, contact the Utah Highway Safety Office at:
801-965-4400.