Is there a scientific reason drivers do not see motorcycles?

Traveling along crowded and congested streets can be stressful and dangerous, especially for motorcyclists. When motorcyclists take to the road, they face unique dangers that are not present for motorists in passenger vehicles. Many motorcycle accidents happen simply because other drivers fail to spot motorcycles. This could be due to their smaller profile, but there may be other reasons why drivers fail to see motorcycles.

Inattentional blindness

Looked-but-failed-to-see crashes are the most common cause of collisions involving motorcycles. These types of collisions may be contributed to inattentional blindness. Inattentional blindness is a phenomenon where a person fails to notice an unexpected object that is in plain sight. When driving, the brain deals with large amounts of sensory information, and it’s nearly impossible to attend to everything. Therefore, the brain must decide what information is most important.

Compelling study

In a recent study, 56 adults were asked to examine some photographs of routine driving situations taken from the perspective of the driver. The participants were required to determine whether the photo depicted safe or unsafe driving conditions. However, the last image was manipulated to include either a motorcycle or a taxi. The participants were then asked if they noticed either object. The study found that the participants were 65% less likely to notice the motorcycle than to notice the taxi.

Apparently, motorcycles are not high on the priority list when the brain filters information. Drivers across the state of Michigan need to be on the lookout for motorcycles and remain vigilant at all times behind the wheel. Unfortunately, there will always be drivers who become distracted or lose focus. Those who have suffered injuries or the loss of loved ones due to negligence in motorcycle accidents can pursue rightful damages by contacting a skilled litigator and filing a lawsuit.