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12. OBSERVATION

 

Observation, or the lack thereof, is emerging again and again as a primary cause of crashes. Very often the first comment after a crash is: "I did not see it."

 

There are various reasons why people do not see the danger, which moments later causes heartache, injury or death.

Wearing spectacles or contact lenses whilst driving is law, if your driver's licence stipulates it. Wear glasses or sunglasses with thin frames; thick ones cause vision to be restricted. Beware of dirty or fogged up lenses. Any reduction in visibility increases the risk of crashing, especially at night. A common cause of vision-related crashes is deteriorating eyesight.

 

	There is a simple eyesight test anyone can do, if they doubt a driver's eyesight:   Stop at the kerb side near a sign that you can read comfortably.   If you have normal vision and can read the letters and figures, the other person should have no trouble reading them to you.

 

In metropolitan areas the number of signs, drivers have to observe, can be overwhelming. We see many signs, but how many are really taken in? (It's a bit like someone's name - a moment after having been introduced, their name is gone from our mind!) Road signs can be like that! The eyes see them; the mind doesn't. A safe, cognitive driver sees, reads and acts on signs that require action.
	No doubt. this driver's first comment was: "I did not see it".

The Big Picture

Crashes caused by distractions are explained in another article. Here we are dealing with drivers suffering from 'tunnel vision.' These (often nervous) drivers never move their eyes, but fix their gauze on a narrow section of road right in front of the bonnet.  

These drivers must realize that danger comes from the left or right and behind. To see the big picture a safe motorist moves his or her eyes every second. A good way to demonstrate the big picture is 'commentary driving'. As you drive, look, see and call out everything to do with traffic: Other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs or anything else that is part of the big picture.  

Focal vision versus peripheral vision

Your eyesight consists of two spheres, focal and peripheral vision. To best explain the difference, let's imagine overtaking a parked car. 

Your eyes pick up the parked vehicle from a long distance away. As you come near the hazard your focal vision searches for danger (car door opening, pedestrian stepping from behind etc). But do not keep focusing on the parked vehicle. Don't glue your eyes to it.

As you drive by, leaving a sufficient safety margin, move your eyes away from the vehicle. Your peripheral vision, also called fringe vision, will see the car still, enough for you to safely overtake it.

Often there is a misunderstanding, when the instructing person says to the student: "Watch the cyclist!". The novice driver then does as he/she is told; keeps eyes focused on the rider. The result is a close shave between rider and driver. The learner used focal vision far too long, still looking at the rider as they pass. A better way of instruction: "Take note of the rider. Leave a safe space, look beyond the cyclist and overtake safely!"                                                            (Pic. Halfords.com)

 

Our eyeballs have a natural blindspot. A certain field of the total picture is invisible. Therefore: Don't keep staring at any hazard, sign or obstacle...

...keeping your eyes on the move will keep your mind on the move!

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Our information could vary in your part of the world. We recommend you use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.

Road Safety by Dieter Fischer 2001 - Learner Drive Hub 2020.