Study highlights differences in visual attention of drivers and motorcyclists

10.58 | 26 January 2022 | | 5 comments

Motorcycle collisions could be caused by riders and car drivers seeing different things, despite being on the same stretch of road.

That’s according to the findings of new research into motorcycle collisions and injury prevention, carried out by Bournemouth University and DocBike – an injury prevention charity.

The project assessed neurological and cognitive influences of motorcyclists and car drivers. 

It explored participants with varying levels of motoring experience and qualifications. It was made up of four main parts: 

  • Identifying motoring experience, training, and annual mileage
  • Questionnaires about general risk propensity and need for excitement
  • Eye-tracking by watching videos and viewing images of roads which have a high number of motorcycle collisions 
  • Optional semi-structured interview for motorcyclists. 

Data from the study indicates that car drivers and motorcyclists have different visual attention patterns, due to the different types of hazards according to the vehicle type. 

For example, the brain naturally sees larger objects, like lorries, as threats as opposed to smaller objects such as motorcycles. 

Additionally, motorcyclist’s identification, perception, and knowledge of potential risk changes depending on their motorcycling qualifications and experience. 

Shel Silva, a PhD researcher from Bournemouth University led the project. She said: “The research is suggesting that by understanding motorcyclists’ knowledge and identification of risks it is possible to better inform training and materials which appeal to motorcyclists. 

“It is key to understand that motorcyclists do not need training about how to ride a motorcycle but would benefit from more skills regarding how to read the road and other road users.

“I know friends and people who have died or suffered life changing injuries after being in motorcycle collisions. This research is really important to me and having the opportunity to help save motorcyclists’ lives is a personal honour.”

Shel suggests that an effective way for a motorcyclist to be seen when approaching a junction is to make a lateral movement such as moving towards the centre of the road near the white lines. 

This is because the movement of the motorcycle can trigger a visual orienting response in other road users, consequently drawing their attention to the motorcyclist.


 

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    Shel has produced a great study, which whilst it can be widely acknowledged that the findings were commonly known already by many, nevertheless further re-enforces the argument for continuing to strive in raising awareness about these decades old issues. The problem of visual perception amongst different road users isn’t fixed, isn’t going away and more needs to be done by us to address it.

    I would query the statement “It is key to understand that motorcyclists do not need training about how to ride a motorcycle but would benefit from more skills regarding how to read the road and other road users”.

    Having delivered Biker Down for 12 years now and also been a practical riding instructor for 26 years, trust me, Motorcyclists DO also need training about how to ride a Motorcycle! If many riders spent half the money they spend on ‘Gucci gear’and ‘bike improvements’ on some post test training, then everyone’s experience would be a little more safer and enjoyable!

    Great piece of work though Shel and thank you for once again highlighting these issues!


    Jim Sanderson, Medway
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    Hmmm. Hard not to think of this conclusion as blindingly obvious. It seems to me a sad but inescapable fact that in the highway context we tend to react most to the things that would do us most harm, i.e. bigger heavier objects than ours or those coming fast in the opposite direction. I guess the suggestion of making a lateral motion to increase “presence” in the eyeline of a motorist is worth a go, although much harder to pull off for a cyclist than a motorcyclist I fear because of the usually slower speed. I cannot help reflecting on my “nearest to death” experience in which I was cycling round a roundabout in broad daylight wearing a brand new hi-vis top, my profile clearly visible to the two oncoming motorists. They were engaged in some kind of ill-tempered race to be the first to reach the single exit lane from the roundabout and did not slow in the slightest. I survived only by emergency braking, slamming my feet down and twisting the bike through 90 degrees. I realise this is an isolated incident and maybe atypical. But every time I cycle round a roundabout now I remember I can only really rely on my wits. I believe there is something to be said for reducing the space and separation available to motorists, so increasing their perception that they themselves could come to harm, if that is the only thing that influences them. (and for clarity, I am one of them too)


    Tim Philpot, West Midlands
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    Good to see (another?) study confirming that road users’ brains look out most for larger objects, like lorries, ie threats as opposed to smaller objects which pose less threat. We don’t acknowledge this nearly enough in road safety. Telling drivers to watch our for bikes (motorcycles or pedal cycles) and then wondering why they don’t is a failure to look at the science.

    It gets even more interesting/important if you consider how this (probably) translates into behaviour – not just looking. The road user in a large vehicle is likely to be less concerned about a collision with a small vehicle. (Think about how car drivers respond to HGVs.) Do we consider all this enough in road safety practice and research? I don’t think so. An inconvenient truth?


    David Davies, London
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    +1

    “Shel suggests that an effective way for a motorcyclist to be seen when approaching a junction is to make a lateral movement such as moving towards the centre of the road near the white lines.”… and if that doesn’t work use your brakes..if you’ve got the time and the space that is – in fact do that first and don’t rely on ‘lateral movment’ as that will not guarantee your safety as much as actually slowing and stopping if necessary.


    Hugh Jones, Cheshire
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    --1

    So nothing new there then. Things that have been known for decades.


    Bob Craven, Lancs
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    +1

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