Road safety – Why can’t motorists see us? –

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Why motorists can’t see us ?

Road safety - Why can't motorists see us? -

Two British researchers worked on the causes of motorcycle accidents, and in particular on the visibility of motorcyclists who are often questioned. Conclusion: motorists can’t see us … because they’re not looking in the right place !

But why is this motorist cutting me off? Why is he dislocating like this right in front of me? Why does he open his door just as I pass? These questions have certainly crossed your mind more than once. And if you get a response from the person’s mouth, it’s a safe bet that it will be like: "oh well, I hadn’t seen you" … Motorcycle News, two British researchers from the University of Sussex, Martin Langham and Graham Hole (photo), have looked into this crucial question for the survival of the biker: why motorists can’t see us? To do this, they analyzed a database of more than two years of motorcycle accidents recorded by Sussex Police. But they also closely studied the behavior of various motorists – experienced and beginners – approaching a crossroads, showing them video recordings and scrutinizing their reactions using a camera sensitive to the movements of the eye (eye movement camera). These cameras recorded very precisely where and at what depth the motorist’s gaze fell when arriving at an intersection. Review: "experienced drivers put their gaze in the middle of their field of vision only, while beginners start much closer. The former therefore see the motorcyclists in the vicinity much later". Experienced riders also tend to focus their attention on places where they are used to encountering danger, and are therefore more likely not to see a rider in an unusual situation. Their findings also show that the color of the The rider’s clothing does not matter. The study does mention accidents involving police bikers, although they are particularly visible. According to the researchers, you can therefore be dressed in black from head to toe or wear the fluorescent colors of a grand prix driver, the motorist who has not seen you will not see you either…

Eric MICHEL

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