Originally Posted by
RogerB
You can reduce risk, but never really eliminate it.
I cannot explain the sensory lapses that happen to all people. We have blind spots on our retina where the optic nerve joins with the eyeball. We let our attention drift. We "lose" one red light in a forest of red lights. We scan the whole area and "miss" a stop sign. We get blinded by the glare of oncoming headlights, or of the setting sun. Our field of view is interrupted by the A-pillar, or blocked by the rearview mirror, or a bug on the windshield. And so on.
So true.
I was a volunteer firefighter for several years around here, and we were constantly attending classes in order to retain state certification. Much of the safety training involved knowing that people can become fixated visually, but at the same time mentally detached. It's not that unusual for a motorist to run into the back of an emegency vehicle with all lights flashing. Many firefighters, cops and construction workers have been run down that way. Hence, the rules regarding reflective vests and bright battle lanterns.