SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The disproportionately high number of motorcycle-related traffic accidents may be linked to the way the human brain processes—or fails to process—information, according to new research published in Human Factors, "Allocating Attention to Detect Motorcycles: The Role of Inattentional Blindness." The study examines how the phenomenon of inattentional blindness, or a person's failure to notice an unexpected object located in plain sight, might explain the prevalence of looked-but-failed-to-see (LBFTS) crashes, the most common type of collision involving motorcycles.
According to human factors/ergonomics researchers Kristen Pammer, Stephanie Sabadas, and Stephanie Lentern, LBFTS crashes are particularly troublesome because, despite clear conditions and the lack of other hazards or distractions, drivers will look in the direction of the oncoming motorcycle - and in some cases appear to look directly at the motorcycle - but still pull out into its path.
The study authors suggest training drivers to be more alert for motorcycles.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 07 2018, @05:24AM
You do realize that a motorcycle takes up roughly a third of the width of a car, right? A motorcycle swerving usually remains in the same lane as it was traveling in. A pedestrian or car that pulls out too far or fails to clear the lane usually leaves at least a portion of the lane free to swerve into.
I've had to swerve while riding in the past and I've yet to have to leave my lane, but I have had a couple times when I was riding the centerline for a few feet with no oncoming traffic. Plan ahead and it's not an issue.
The main situation where you're not going to be able to swerve safely is when there's oncoming traffic and the entire lane ahead of you is blocked up. But, if you're actually planning ahead, you can see that coming and plan accordingly by leaving more space in front of you.
A car though cannot swerve without leaving the lane that it's traveling in. You might be able to swerve a foot or so if you've got a smart car, but as a general rule a swerving car will leave the lane. A swerving motorcycle won't leave the lane unless the rider either plans to or lays it down.