Engineering researchers at the University of Toronto recently studied the eye movements of drivers at busy junctions and found more than half failed to look for pedestrians or cyclists.
“The results were quite surprising,” said Professor Birsen Donmez, Canada Research Chair in Human Factors and Transportation. “We didn’t expect this level of attention failure, especially since we selected a group that are considered to be a low crash-risk age group.”
“I think it’s an infrastructure issue. I don’t think it’s an education issue. When you look at the bike lanes in the city—they appear over here, but disappear there—the more unpredictable the road rules are, the more challenging it is.”
“Sorry mate, I didn’t see you”
If you’ve always wondered how it that drivers are able to look but not see, you may be interested in the book The Psychology of Driving by Graham Hole.
The title was recommended to us by traffic police officer Mark Hodson from the Central Police Motorway Group (@markandcharlie on twitter ):
“The book covers drivers that are stationary that pull out in front other road users where offender speed isn’t an issue but awareness is and the need to recognise how the brain actually sees and alter that process to actually look properly.”
“The whole book is a great read, great chapters on young and older drivers, drink and drug driving as well, but the chapter on conspicuity explained a lot of the things that victims & offenders have said to me over the years when being interviewed that left me thinking how did they not see them. Added new levels to my my thinking about how I drive and ride, even walk on top of my police training.”
The Psychology of Driving
The Psychology of Driving is a fascinating introduction into the psychological factors at play when people get behind the wheel. Exploring the role of personality traits and cognitive functions such as attention in driving, the book considers why human error is most often to blame in road accidents, and how we can improve driver safety. The book debunks the myth that men are better drivers than women and considers why some people indulge in knowingly risky behaviour on the road, including using mobile phones and drink/drug-driving.
Win a copy of The Psychology of Driving
We have a copy of the book to give away. Simply leave us a message at the bottom of this page and we’ll pick a name next week.
Can high-vis clothing help?
Our collective preoccupation with high-vis is pernicious and has lead to an institutionalised sense that vulnerable road users without it are to blame should they be killed or maimed by a motorised vehicle. This is, of course, nonsense. Cyclists who want to stand out on the roads should ensure their road skills are up to scratch and ride assertively.
As far as clothing is concerned, take note of the findings of Dr Ian Walker, Professor of Environmental Psychology at Surrey University, whose research focuses on the safety of vulnerable road users and their interactions with motorists, considering such issues as road user attitudes and stereotypes, and the roles of urban design and policy in affecting vulnerable road users’ safety. Dr Walker researched some years ago the effect of cycle helmet wearing on the behaviour of cyclists. He discovered that drivers leave less space when overtaking cyclists wearing helmets. The reason for this behaviour may also explain the results of a more recent experiment. Dr Walker monitored cars when they overtook cyclists wearing a variety of high-visibility and disruptive pattern clothing.
Dr Walker found that outfits in the study (except the one with the word ‘police’) were treated exactly the same, almost to the centimetre. The vest marked ‘polite’ was found to have no effect at all.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Craig
I got hit by a car only two weeks ago in Cambridge whilst I was riding slowly on a cycle path. Sadly, it’s all too common an occurrence……. I was lucky, I survived.
I’d love to read any advice this book can offer.
Peter L
Fabulous article…I would l9ve to read more.
Thank you
Jamie J
Am intrigued…
Kath McNulty
Would love a copy. Will be buying it unless I’m very lucky and win this lucky draw.
Helen
This sounds fascinating. Would love to learn more about how our attention changes when we are in our metal boxes…
Chris Johnson
I have been smidsy’d down on a roundabout, and my daughter was knocked down on a straight wide road (hit & run, not even so much as a smidsy), so we’d very much like to see this book.
Thierry
“The vest marked ‘polite’ was found to have no effect at all”.
I’ve seen a biker’s jacket (as in motorcyclist) with one of those fake police vests on top of it in the changing room at work. It looked very realistic to me and I only noticed it said ‘polite’ rather than ‘police’ after reading the text on that vest a couple of times. It looked pretty convincing and I would probably have assumed it was indeed a policeman riding that motorbike if I had shared a road with that person. There is no way I would have spotted the difference between ‘police’ and ‘polite’.
Personally, I don’t take any chances, I make sure I’m as visible as possible, especially during the darker winter days. Just like I’ll never cycle without a helmet. But that’s just my opinion of course.
Robert
The fact that “police” and “polite” are treated differently deserves further attention. It suggests people are understanding the words and then deciding to give the “police” rider more room — or, to put it another way, deciding the other riders deserve less room…
Mike Croker
Would be useful to me as an older driver.
Sarah
I would love to win a copy of this, it sounds both educational and interesting.
John Davidson
I’d like a copy. I’m a cyclist and a motorist so it would be good to undetstand the issue from both perspectives.
Mike the bike
Any book that can explain why a motorist find it difficult to distinguish cyclists well enough to avoid hitting them would be a must for me.
Jennie Parsons
I have had many near misses in Cambridge and would love to read this book to update my skills to avoid getting killed!
Peter Soper
As a cyclist and motorist I need to read this book as it will make me think more deeply about how I and others behave.
Paul Docherty
Sounds like it will be a very interesting read – I definitely feel that attitudes and behaviours are so important on the roads and yet much of the focus is on technical and engineering issues.
John V
This book is a must read to learn then educate others. I would love to win a copy
Brian
A SMIDSY book, yes please.
Michael Foster
It sounds like an intriguing ‘must have’ read! Am looking forward to the experience!
Stephen
Sadly, the majority of cyclists in Cambridge have been hit by cars at some point. And that’s in the UK’s cycling capital! Anything which can suggest improvements based on research and understanding sounds interesting to me.
Margaret W
Cyclists and pedestrians have to share road space with motorists and anything which provides insights into how vulnerable road users can be safer would be very welcome.
Mark B
I’d be very interested to read this.
Gary
This looks really interesting – as a pedestrian, a cyclist, and a motorcyclist (who also drives occasionally too) I’m fascinated to learn how human behaviour can change / be changed in these scenarios.
Frank
Road safety has declined severely, collisions in Leeds are ubiquitous, eg barriers at junctions where I live are constantly being crashed into by motorists. We do have some dedicated cycle lanes that are great but all road users need to be vigilant 🚵
Gavin S
This is something I am really interested in as a professional driver (though off duty I cycle everywhere)… If I don’t win it, I will buy this book.
Peter Clark
This does sound like a fascinating read although one that may make me think I should t ever get back on a bike again
Mags
How I would like to understand the mentality of the drivers who put my life in danger at regular intervals. This book might help?
Lucy H
I walk to work at a bike shop every day, so I have at least two reasons for wanting to read this!
Rob Harris
Interesting subject for cyclists and motorised road users.
I believe that cycle clothing with contrasting colours and using bright flashing day lights is the way forward – and please no more black on black!
Philip Parker
Too many cyclists ride in dark clothes at night with just a tiny almost invisible red light. High vis is still important and is not replaced by inadequate bike lights.
The ETA
High-vis does not protect cyclists against poor driving
Bazza
As a driver and a regular cyclist, I am constantly amazed at the behaviour of other drivers towards cyclists. This book may help me understand, if not empathise.
TD
Would love to read this and pass it on to all my cycling friends.
cleatclicker
sounds fascinating.