Originally Posted by
DogBoy
They teach this in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. It works very well on a bicycle too. Only thing, be sure to look with your whole head, not just your eyes. It works better, but either way, target fixation is real.
The way it was explained to me in the MSF was that it was similar to tunnel vision that occurs during periods of high stress and excessive sensory input. The rider (or driver) fixates on what is most important and then tends to drive into it rather than avoid it.
I've noticed that when an unexpected hazard appears with little time to react, I really do have a tendancy to aim right for it. It takes a conscious effort to steer around.