When a magician fools you with his sleight of hand does that mean you were not being attentive? No, because no matter how hard you concentrate, you can, and will, still miss a move. I see the basketball passing video as being very similar.
Originally Posted by
genec
This all has been the basis for HH's continued commentary on why we should not be "off to the side."
Of course the problem is that motorists are looking for other cars... NOT cyclists or gorillas.
No matter how much bright stuff you have on, nor how well you are positioned in the lane... a motorist can still look right past you... as you don't fit the profile of what they are looking for. Add to that the divided attention a motorist may have, due to cell phone use for instance, and the problem is greatly compounded.
But motorists are used to looking for cars and they still miss them on occasion. I often think a cyclist in the center of the lane, with hi vis clothing and blinkies flashing, is MORE noticeable than plain old every day cars, precisely because they are so unusual. If the driver is distracted on a cell phone, I'd say it's even MORE important to be out there to be noticed, and considered relevant. Right smack in front of them is probably the last area that they would miss seeing (and reacting to) you.