# Are half the drivers on the road blind or something?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 22, 2012, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263 "2012-08-22T10:31:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/1 "2012-08-22T10:31:28Z")
I dunno what the deal is but it can be broad daylight out and a driver will be stopped like in a parking lot and their head seems to be moving back and forth in a forward direction so you assume they see you and you start walking and then they start pulling out and appear to see you at the last minute and then they slam on the brakes and freak out like you jumped in front of them or something. šŸ˜• Do these people scan the road and see it is clear and then ignore everything from that moment forward to hitting the accelerator? Even though they are looking straight at you?! I usually even give a wave of recognition when crossing in front of a stopped car, they donā€™t even see that? What the fuck is someone like that doing on the damn road, how the hell will they survive real challenging driving? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/2 "2012-08-22T10:38:35Z")
Selective attention. It is amazing what people can miss when they are not looking for it. This is likely caused because they are looking for other _cars_. So even though their eyes gaze directly at you, they will not ā€œseeā€ you. Their mind is canceling out anything that isnā€™t a car. This is the same thing that frustrates motorcycle riders all the time. Drivers will pull out in front of a motorcycle even though they looked down the road to check for traffic. The brain just failed to recognize it. Here is a video example of how the brain processes information. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vJG698U2Mvo/hqdefault.jpg "selective attention test") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo) ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/3 "2012-08-22T14:32:00Z")
Theyā€™re scanning for other cars because a collision with another car can cause massive damage and insurance rate hikes. Running over a ped usually just gets a $50 fine, if anything, unless of course the driver is DUI, which is the only concern of the police. My own belief is running over a ped in a crosswalk or sidewalk should result in jail time for negligent homicide at the least, DUI or not. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/4 "2012-08-22T15:13:50Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Here is a video example of how the brain processes information. > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo) I know what you linked to without having to click on it. I donā€™t need to monkey with that link. **GreenElf** , running over a pedestrian is just a $50 fine? Where? Here, thereā€™s a fine for failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. Some local cops have been having a great time busting people for it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/5 "2012-08-22T16:10:19Z")
OP: you can add that one [to this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=662680), if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/6 "2012-08-22T16:12:32Z")
From the time I spent as a bicycle commuter (in Los Angeles no less) I learned and still think; half the drivers on the road donā€™t see you and the other half are actively trying to hit you. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/7 "2012-08-22T16:59:08Z")
A few months ago I was walking to my car from a concert in downtown Orlando and there was a stopped car just right in middle of the lane about 100 feet from the light. He was right where I was going to cross, so I had to either walk around him hoping he would get out of my way, or cross in front of him. I was only a foot or so from where he would have to stop at the red light anyway, so it wouldnā€™t be a major inconvenience or accident risk since heā€™d be planning on stopping anyway. I looked back at the light and it was still red, so I started to cross, at which point the car slammed on the gas and started beeping like crazy at me. Then I pulled back to the curb thinking I had misread the light. No, as soon as I got past the car I looked back at the light ā€“ it was STILL red. Major wtf šŸ˜• My only thought was that he knew me and was pranking me but I didnā€™t recognize his face. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/8 "2012-08-22T17:07:37Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Selective attention. It is amazing what people can miss when they are not looking for it. This is likely caused because they are looking for other _cars_. So even though their eyes gaze directly at you, they will not ā€œseeā€ you. Their mind is canceling out anything that isnā€™t a car. This is the same thing that frustrates motorcycle riders all the time. Drivers will pull out in front of a motorcycle even though they looked down the road to check for traffic. The brain just failed to recognize it. > > Here is a video example of how the brain processes information. > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo) As Sherlock Holmes said, ā€œYou see, but do not observe.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/9 "2012-08-22T23:45:58Z")
Not saying this is a legitimate excuse ('cause itā€™s not), but his thought may have been ā€œHey, that guy just stood there, and when I got tired of waiting and pulled out he suddenly walked out in front of me!ā€ Time moves slowly for the impatient. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/10 "2012-08-23T02:04:04Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > **GreenElf** , running over a pedestrian is just a $50 fine? Where? Here, thereā€™s a fine for failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. Some local cops have been having a great time busting people for it. Iā€™m in the United States. I think the $50 fine is to help fund removal and disposal of the bodily remains, and they donā€™t like to have anything, or anyone, jamming up the efficient movement of traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/11 "2012-08-23T02:29:09Z")
> [@Mister\_Owl](#): > > From the time I spent as a bicycle commuter (in Los Angeles no less) I learned and still think; half the drivers on the road donā€™t see you and the other half are actively trying to hit you. Sounds like Sacramento to me, and here they do it to other cars too. Iā€™ve taken to referring to ā€œcrackerjack driversā€, so named for where I think they got their licenses.šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/12 "2012-08-23T05:23:37Z")
Yes, they are. I almost got run over by a driver/car on my scooter this morning. He cut me off so much that I had to go off the road and into the bicycle lane to avoid being hit. I tell ya, I really hope it wonā€™t beā€¦but there are times when I think that riding will be my demise. ---
**Author:** ![MaltLiquor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@MaltLiquor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaltLiquor)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/13 "2012-08-23T05:51:31Z")
I have to dodge an idiot driver at least a few times a week. Everyone makes an excuse but I judge peoples intelligence not on how they talk, spell, hold a conversation, relate to others, or being able to answer questions about anything. I judge them on how aware they are of their surroundings. I have a hard time getting along with people that seem oblivious to what is going on around them. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/14 "2012-08-23T11:39:20Z")
Half the drivers donā€™t see you. The other half see you - as a target. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-half-the-drivers-on-the-road-blind-or-something/632263/15 "2012-08-23T12:48:09Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I know what you linked to without having to click on it. I donā€™t need to monkey with that link. > > **GreenElf** , running over a pedestrian is just a $50 fine? Where? Here, thereā€™s a fine for failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. Some local cops have been having a great time busting people for it. Well, if the fine were any more it might ruin the poor driverā€™s day! (I wish I were making that part up).