VERY VERY close call today

[dubber68]

The human brain learns the shapes of things it needs to look out for (cars), anything else it can accidentally ignore.

I know about this and as an aside I have had less issues since wearing an open face as the human brain is programmed to recognise and focus on the human face. This is why we see faces in clouds etc made up of random shapes.

[Flintlock]

Sounds like (hopefully) the driver will not make the same mistake again.

The main thing is you live to ride another day

[simonw]

I was driving along behind a police car. A woman in a car was waiting to pull out of a garage forecourt, the police car passed her and then she pulled out straight into the car I was driving.

This is a good point. I often wonder, if I'm riding close behind a car in slow traffic (I don't mean 3ft away at 50mph), if drivers at junctions will just focus on the car in front and then pull out once it's passed. I usually try to either close or open the gap by quite a lot, depending on speed/situation etc.

[P4ulie]

You listened to the voice Dubber, mines saved me a few times, glad no harm done (thumbs)

It's happened to me far too many times, if I'm in doubt now I go into slalom mode or they get a flash of the high beam with the spots blazing 'you see me now'?

Our eyes don't see everything, the brain interprets & fills in what it expects to be there, hence the SMIDSY.

Still the closest I've ever come to my end was on foot on a pelican crossing. Micra coming straight for me, as I dived sideways I stared into the eyes of a little old lady completely oblivious to running a red light while people were crossing.

I'm commuting nearly 500 miles a week through constant traffic for the last 3 months & its getting exhausting maintaining concentration. I'm losing the love for riding

[fullerton]

Was on a training course a few years back and he the instructor explain why this happens, you get to your destination and cant fully remember the journey and its all to to do with the brains temperature, not saying anymore cause iam starting to bore myself. Will explain if anyone interested.

Steve

[dubber68]

Was on a training course a few years back and he the instructor explain why this happens, you get to your destination and cant fully remember the journey and its all to to do with the brains temperature, not saying anymore cause iam starting to bore myself. Will explain if anyone interested.

Steve

Stuff like this intrigues me so explain away.

[vRSG60]

I'm sure we've had this before but anyway, this is worth a read.

[g00ner]

I've been that bloke in the car.

Luton Arches roundabout in Chatham for those that know the area. Dark, wet, crap lighting and lots of traffic - kind of junction where you have to be a bit keen or you'll be there indefinitely. Was December and evening rush hour, pulled away sharpish and caught a glimpse of a shadow/shape in my side vision so braked hard and saw a bike cross in front, scared the cr@p out of me.

Irrespective of the junction and how busy it is, I'd looked and had lowered the window as it was obscured partially by rain - just didn't see him despite looking. Was a black 1250 faired Bandit with full panniers in black, rider in black leathers, boots and helmet. Can only think I lost sight of his headlight amongst other traffic and their lights etc

Scared the crap out of me and him

[Simon_100]

As with most of us this happens hundreds of times - yesterday five for me in rural Spanish towns! My reaction to a driver not absolutely in 'eye contact is to change direction and speed, crossing from one part of the carriageway to the other (within the same lane) and either accelerating sharply or braking hence the headlight 'flashes' at the driver.

TPH, I thought this was basic training . . . but of course it doesn't always work!

The human brain learns the shapes of things it needs to look out for (cars), anything else it can accidentally ignore.

I know about this and as an aside I have had less issues since wearing an open face as the human brain is programmed to recognise and focus on the human face. This is why we see faces in clouds etc made up of random shapes.

That's really interesting - I used to study that kind of thing in seagulls :whistle:

Regs

Simon

[JimboF650]

Close call Paul - glad you're ok!