Why do cars turn in front of motorcycles?
We talked about Inattentional Blindness (sensory overload) as one factor. The other possible visual factor is perspective illusion. Realizing this phenomena occurs should make us take the extra step to be careful.
Observing motorcycles by other road users is a continuing problem. Even when bikes are seen by the other driver, often approach speeds are misjudged due to the motorcycles size.
This is not unique to small objects. In railroad crossing crashes, the car driver does the same thing with respect to the train. In these situations, the driver may have perceived the train but because of a condition known as perspective illusion, misjudged the speed.
A misconception of size, velocity and time makes the driver think he/she has more time than is actually available.
Consider a large airplane approaching a runway. Although the plane is traveling over a hundred miles per hour, it appear to be barely moving at all.
The motorcycle, having better acceleration performance than most vehicles, is subject to this perspective illusion.
The small profile of the motorcycle, lack of highway reference points by which to judge approach speed, may give the illusion of being able to execute turns safely before the motorcycle becomes a hazard.
Tractor Perspective Illusion – The funniest videos clips are here
6 responses so far ↓
Mr. Motorcycle // 04/20/2009 at 6:20 pm
The first video almost made me crap in my pants, and the second one is very eye opening. Thanks for sharing these perspective illusions!
four bits // 04/20/2009 at 11:01 pm
Thank you for another excellent reminder.
Sad news today. I passed by shortly after a fatal motorcycle crash about 50 miles east of San Francisco. Heavy evening commute traffic, truck involved. 15 or more cars had stopped at the scene, difficult to tell how it happened but I can guess.
rubenandjoann // 04/20/2009 at 11:17 pm
This is why we offer what we know…we have seen too much needless carnage on the road. Every time I hear of another fallen rider, it just strengthens our resolve. We have a moral obligation to pass on to others knowledge which has benefited us; knowledge that will prevent another from falling needlessly. Thanks for sharing.
Young Dai // 04/21/2009 at 6:25 pm
Mr Motorcycle , that advert is being played at breakfast time the moment in the UK as part of a Dept of Transport campaign. Imagine sitting down eating your Frosties watching the TV when that comes on ! The first time it came on my 8 year old daughter hugged me in tears convinced that she would never see me again.
Personally I like the other UTube SMIDSY video better : A Day Out In Devon – SMIDSY, a bikers revenge.
bikerswag // 04/21/2009 at 9:33 pm
Good stuff!
Young Dai // 05/21/2009 at 11:13 am
The SMIDSY video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=masAsJeyIVQ
This was put together by the county road safety team. So it like the first video it has a real point to remind drivers we are out there