Observation technique

[AppleJoe]

Did my Pass Plus course the other week (for cars not bikes), and to get £60 cash back from the council I had to go to this lecture thing. Anyway, there was a fireman there who described how they are trained to do their observations when driving the fire truck at a millionty-miles-an-hour. You look:

Long distance > Middle distance > Short distance (right in front of you) > Behind you (mirrors).

Times obivously decrease, so a couple of seconds long distance down to only a glance behind you. I tried it out when riding around and although it doesn't necessarily make your observations that much better, it snaps you out of 'auto pilot' especially when riding a route you do every day. I think it's much improved my general riding safety.

Give it a try
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Full licence from 16/4/08
Previously: '56 YBR125 - Current: K1 SV650S

[The Artist]

I always do that. I always think I am too focused. I'm constantly updating my own knowledge of what is going on around me.

I remember my aunt (a copper) was telling me about driving observation a few years ago. Looking through hedges for any signs of cars coming towards you.

When I am riding, every little movement that is abnormal gets noted in my head. I seem to focus loads for some reason.

[Clanger]

I am naturally a super observant (nosey) being, I know what's going on and where pretty much constantly...both in the car and on the bike.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Hello there mandem]

Ive managed to save my bike from being in someones garage being rebuild by looking through and around cars as a final check befor commiting myself round a corner.

I SHAT MY SELF.

close call wake you up at 730am going to work.

[Paulington]

Yeah that really does help, do it anyway.

I also find myself very focused when riding, quite odd, as long as it keeps me safe though.
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Finglonga]

[nutter]

Heres what i do (remember that I'm still on L plates lol)

Use far distance mainly, any movent in mid or short will naturally be caught by the eye, as movent attracts attention (just as a soldier doing camo training), but you have to be really careful of target fixation, and react to it just as efficiently as if you new it was there before it was sort of thing (expect it).

Use position BIG time (left side of road, near enough in the gutter) for right hand bends, on the line for lefties. On the lefties though, always make sure you have enough room to move in again into a position of safety if the road is compromised (other cars or road surface. This has safed my bacon PLENTY of times

Look for movement through hedges, and at night use headlights to warn of oncoming vechiles. If going around a blind corner in a built up area, use reflections in window, and those mirrors placed at dangerous junctions too to see if anything is waiting to pull out.

Try to use engine braking as much as possible, as it makes you think ahead even more. Use the visural point to asses the speed of a corner on approach (the point where the two kerbs meet), use road furniture such as lighting, cables and house fronts to judge corners and angles of vechiles coming towards you too.

On blind summits move into the kerb incase some idiot is over taking on it, you head will reach the summit in plenty of time if your side is blocked.

NEVER overtake on a junction, someone pulling out into your path is likley as when turning left they never look left, just right to check their side is safe, and cars can turn quickly.

Most importantly, expect a tractor to be stationary just out of view, cos when there is one, you should have an action plan set up already, even if it is just grab the brakes (the worst thing you can do BTW)

Now you lot are bored absolutly stupid LOL, wakey wakey, i finished rambling on now.

BTW, it's the U-turn that i keep on failing on (twice), not observations or positioning

Sleep tight
Nutts caution, may cause allergic reaction to boredem
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Current bike is kawasaki ZR7 - Previous is CBR 125 (40,000 long long miles). Mod 2 passed 11/08/11 - Hope to become an instructor

[That_Hornet]

Ive found that opening my eyes helps loads

[nutter]

[ajb]