You’ll typically find motorcycles and cars traveling alongside one another on California roads. With that in mind, you might have heard to watch out for motorcyclists due to a target fixation problem. As it turns out, target fixation isn’t only something motorcyclists deal with.
What is target fixation?
You’ve likely heard the importance of keeping your eyes on the road while driving. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Target fixation is the term used to describe what happens when a driver focuses on a singular target, often driving into the distraction.
But target fixation doesn’t only cause motorcycle accidents — it can also affect people driving cars. An example of this situation occurs when a driver gets distracted by a police officer pulling someone over. As the driver’s eyes lock onto the police vehicle’s lights, they could end up crashing into the officer or the pulled-over vehicle. There are also numerous incidents involving car or truck drivers crashing into parked vehicles on the shoulder of a road that became target fixations.
How to avoid target fixation while driving
While target fixation is impossible to avoid, there are ways to prevent this problem. Experts recommend using your peripheral vision to focus on everything around you. For instance, it’s better to look slightly past the turn you’re taking instead of fixating on the nearby curb. If you’re driving alongside another vehicle, it’s better to pretend you’re looking through this car than staring directly at one part of it.
Target fixation is a problem shared by people who drive motorcycles and automobiles. Practice catching yourself as target distraction happens. With enough practice, you can help prevent this potentially dangerous problem.