Familiarity breeds complacency
Discussion
There is a road I drive along when I go to pick my children up from school. It's not particularly long - a couple of miles at most, and it's not a particularly fast road. It's single carriageway NSL, but it twists and turns with a whole variety of different corners. It has varying degrees of negative and positive camber, uneven patches of tarmac, areas where it's less grippy than others and is interspersed with double white line systems.
Now, I've been driving along this road, on average, three or four times a week for at least the last ten years - possibly longer. I know the road intimately - I know where it stays wet after a rainstorm and where it dries more quickly. I know where patches of frost tend to linger into the afternoon, and where it thaws out. I know which farm entrances are likely to have mud near to them, and which ones a herd of cattle is prone to emerge from occasionally. I know which junctions are blind and difficult to emerge from, and which ones I've got a good, early view into. I know exactly where I can overtake (two areas in one direction and, helped by a downhill stretch if I'm behind something slow), three in the other direction.
With all this detailed local knowledge, you'd think that it would be one of the safest roads I could possibly drive along, wouldn't you?
Well, I've been giving this some thought today and I've decided that it's actually quite the opposite - it's probably the most dangerous road that I use.
The problem with familiarity with a road is that there is an inevitable "autopilot" mode that kicks in, whether you want it to or not. Now, I'm not saying that I blindly drive along this road without thinking, but I monitored myself as I drove along it today, and I realised that, because I knew it so well, I was automatically looking in the same places for a view, I wasn't assessing bends, because I knew how tight they were, my attention was placed in well-rehearsed areas along the length of the road, and my thought patterns, generally, seemed to be pre-determined, rather than free-thinking.
If I drive an unfamiliar piece of road, I have to assess bends for their severity, look for areas of visibility and invisibility, spot actual and potential hazards, work out driving plans and alternative plans, etc, etc. On the familiar road, I've pretty much got one single driving plan for the whole road. Of course, circumstances change every time I drive the road, but It's very easy to think that you've seen everything before and you've already got a plan for it happening. I know where the stables are, for instance and I've seen enough horses on that road to know exactly what I'm going to do if I come across one. I know where to deal with cyclists, and not just where to overtake other vehicles, but what gear I need to be in and how to carry out the overtakes.
The problem is - and this is what was bugging me today - because I'm not approaching the road with a fresh, open mind, I could end up in deep trouble if something genuinely unexpected happened. We all know about the safe stopping rule, but I know for a fact that I'll carry more speed into a corner if I know it well, than I will if it's unfamiliar. Would I still be able to stop on my own side of the road if something unexpected happened? I asked myself that very question whilst driving today. The answer was yes - I could, but it'd be a close thing. Closer than I'd like it to be anyway.
You see, although I've encountered pretty much everything that I'm likely to on that road, there are still many situations that I haven't, and which are a real possibility. I've never encountered a fallen tree, for instance, or a cyclist who's had a fall, or a recent accident. The fact that I'm probably giving these possibilities less credence than I would if I didn't know the road is what's been bothering me.
On the way back home, I approached the road with a different mindset. I pretended that I didn't know it. The difference was surprising. Although my lines through corners didn't change, the way in which I assessed them certainly did, and my entry speeds were slower as a result. I found myself looking in places that I haven't looked for ages - probably years - and assessing possibilities that hadn't really come up before.
I've decided that this is something that I'm going to do on all the routes I use regularly, starting with my route to work, as that's probably the route I drive most often, so it's almost certainly the route I've become most complacent with.
Have a go yourself - you'll probably be quite surprised at how many possibilities you haven't considered on roads that you know well.
Now, I've been driving along this road, on average, three or four times a week for at least the last ten years - possibly longer. I know the road intimately - I know where it stays wet after a rainstorm and where it dries more quickly. I know where patches of frost tend to linger into the afternoon, and where it thaws out. I know which farm entrances are likely to have mud near to them, and which ones a herd of cattle is prone to emerge from occasionally. I know which junctions are blind and difficult to emerge from, and which ones I've got a good, early view into. I know exactly where I can overtake (two areas in one direction and, helped by a downhill stretch if I'm behind something slow), three in the other direction.
With all this detailed local knowledge, you'd think that it would be one of the safest roads I could possibly drive along, wouldn't you?
Well, I've been giving this some thought today and I've decided that it's actually quite the opposite - it's probably the most dangerous road that I use.
The problem with familiarity with a road is that there is an inevitable "autopilot" mode that kicks in, whether you want it to or not. Now, I'm not saying that I blindly drive along this road without thinking, but I monitored myself as I drove along it today, and I realised that, because I knew it so well, I was automatically looking in the same places for a view, I wasn't assessing bends, because I knew how tight they were, my attention was placed in well-rehearsed areas along the length of the road, and my thought patterns, generally, seemed to be pre-determined, rather than free-thinking.
If I drive an unfamiliar piece of road, I have to assess bends for their severity, look for areas of visibility and invisibility, spot actual and potential hazards, work out driving plans and alternative plans, etc, etc. On the familiar road, I've pretty much got one single driving plan for the whole road. Of course, circumstances change every time I drive the road, but It's very easy to think that you've seen everything before and you've already got a plan for it happening. I know where the stables are, for instance and I've seen enough horses on that road to know exactly what I'm going to do if I come across one. I know where to deal with cyclists, and not just where to overtake other vehicles, but what gear I need to be in and how to carry out the overtakes.
The problem is - and this is what was bugging me today - because I'm not approaching the road with a fresh, open mind, I could end up in deep trouble if something genuinely unexpected happened. We all know about the safe stopping rule, but I know for a fact that I'll carry more speed into a corner if I know it well, than I will if it's unfamiliar. Would I still be able to stop on my own side of the road if something unexpected happened? I asked myself that very question whilst driving today. The answer was yes - I could, but it'd be a close thing. Closer than I'd like it to be anyway.
You see, although I've encountered pretty much everything that I'm likely to on that road, there are still many situations that I haven't, and which are a real possibility. I've never encountered a fallen tree, for instance, or a cyclist who's had a fall, or a recent accident. The fact that I'm probably giving these possibilities less credence than I would if I didn't know the road is what's been bothering me.
On the way back home, I approached the road with a different mindset. I pretended that I didn't know it. The difference was surprising. Although my lines through corners didn't change, the way in which I assessed them certainly did, and my entry speeds were slower as a result. I found myself looking in places that I haven't looked for ages - probably years - and assessing possibilities that hadn't really come up before.
I've decided that this is something that I'm going to do on all the routes I use regularly, starting with my route to work, as that's probably the route I drive most often, so it's almost certainly the route I've become most complacent with.
Have a go yourself - you'll probably be quite surprised at how many possibilities you haven't considered on roads that you know well.
Know exactly what you mean!
My usual commute to work envolves 40 miles each way to my base. This is all on country A roads. I have travelled this road like this for 9 years and have known it well for 20 years.
Like you said its so easy to look in the same places for the same hazards each day. Many years ago I used to commute 40 miles a day on a single track road. I got so used to things you could tell to within a few corners where you would meet the Forestry van or the school bus.
These past few months months I've been trying to perfect my roadcraft and find I have to pretend I don't know the road like you said. Its amazing the extra bits of information you pick up.
Limit points are another thing when you know a road well. You know when the limit point is going to move to within a few feet and end up going that we bit faster as you know when it will move.
Great post as usual. Thanks
Gordon
My usual commute to work envolves 40 miles each way to my base. This is all on country A roads. I have travelled this road like this for 9 years and have known it well for 20 years.
Like you said its so easy to look in the same places for the same hazards each day. Many years ago I used to commute 40 miles a day on a single track road. I got so used to things you could tell to within a few corners where you would meet the Forestry van or the school bus.
These past few months months I've been trying to perfect my roadcraft and find I have to pretend I don't know the road like you said. Its amazing the extra bits of information you pick up.
Limit points are another thing when you know a road well. You know when the limit point is going to move to within a few feet and end up going that we bit faster as you know when it will move.
Great post as usual. Thanks
Gordon
I was telling my eldest this the other night on a last minute trip for the trainers he needs for games the next day
how the worst time to drive is probably the "rush hour" either monring or night as it is full of drivers who do the same journey, with no variation, 10 or 12 times a week at the same time for 48 weeks a year - hence they get complacent and are unable to deal with the unexpected
irm said:
.......................
how the worst time to drive is probably the "rush hour" either monring or night as it is full of drivers who do the same journey, with no variation, 10 or 12 times a week at the same time for 48 weeks a year - hence they get complacent and are unable to deal with the unexpected
Statistically you're wrong. The worst time for accidents is Saturday lunchtime when the roads are full of people who don't know where they're going, make last minute decisions, are often on unfamiliar roads and haven't been out since the previous weekend.
Reg - there was an article regarding danger not long ago in Performance Bike and which completely affirms what you've posted. It pretty much detailed the most dangerous circumstances: dry road, sunny, good tyres, well known road, near home. I'll try and find the article to get the details on the stats' and references they used.
naetype said:
irm said:
.......................
how the worst time to drive is probably the "rush hour" either monring or night as it is full of drivers who do the same journey, with no variation, 10 or 12 times a week at the same time for 48 weeks a year - hence they get complacent and are unable to deal with the unexpected
Statistically you're wrong. The worst time for accidents is Saturday lunchtime when the roads are full of people who don't know where they're going, make last minute decisions, are often on unfamiliar roads and haven't been out since the previous weekend.
Reg - there was an article regarding danger not long ago in Performance Bike and which completely affirms what you've posted. It pretty much detailed the most dangerous circumstances: dry road, sunny, good tyres, well known road, near home. I'll try and find the article to get the details on the stats' and references they used.
and statistically, driving 40 00 miles pa for the last 20 years, id have had several accidents an number of which of which would have resulted in my death
so as I’m writing this sat on a cloud preening my wings and polishing my halo, you must be correct
Statistically... 
I heard that most accidents happen within a mile or so of home.
With regards to the 'Performance Bike' article, I imagine that when driving conditions are bad, ie driving rain (poor or reduced grip), poor visibility, you are extra cautious.
Great post Reg.
I heard that most accidents happen within a mile or so of home.
With regards to the 'Performance Bike' article, I imagine that when driving conditions are bad, ie driving rain (poor or reduced grip), poor visibility, you are extra cautious.
Great post Reg.
Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 28th April 11:14
Familiarity certainly does breed complacency. I have sometimes reached my destination after a familiar drive and not remembered a jot of the journey - autopilot the whole way. Not good. 
I used to take gliding lessons when I was at uni and everyone at the club used to comment on how (on the rare occasion that they did happen) accidents generally happened to more experienced pilots. Those who thought they knew what they were doing and so stopped concentrating and stopped assessing risks.
Good post Reg, I think most people on the road need to be reminded that we must never get complacent.
As for the comment about drivers on unfamiliar roads causing accidents - there is truth in this also. I have found in my experience the single most dangerous group of motorists are those who are lost. They do some unbelievable dangerous things. You can normally tell from the body language of the car (practically stop at every signpost etc). I always stay well back from these peeps cos you never know what they might do.
I used to take gliding lessons when I was at uni and everyone at the club used to comment on how (on the rare occasion that they did happen) accidents generally happened to more experienced pilots. Those who thought they knew what they were doing and so stopped concentrating and stopped assessing risks.
Good post Reg, I think most people on the road need to be reminded that we must never get complacent.
As for the comment about drivers on unfamiliar roads causing accidents - there is truth in this also. I have found in my experience the single most dangerous group of motorists are those who are lost. They do some unbelievable dangerous things. You can normally tell from the body language of the car (practically stop at every signpost etc). I always stay well back from these peeps cos you never know what they might do.
If I miss a turn or find myself in the wrong lane I always carry on until I find somewhere safe to stop and turn around, even if it takes me 20 miles out of my way, it's better than making a sudden and rash manoeuvre.
I was really cross when on my basic driving test, finding myself in the wrong lane I told the examiner that I was going to take a left as it was unsafe to change lanes. I thought that that was the safest and most sensible course of action to take. 17 years on I'm still angry
(just kidding). I failed 
I was really cross when on my basic driving test, finding myself in the wrong lane I told the examiner that I was going to take a left as it was unsafe to change lanes. I thought that that was the safest and most sensible course of action to take. 17 years on I'm still angry
(just kidding). I failed Edited by EmmaP on Saturday 28th April 11:21
DJ_AS said:
I used to take gliding lessons when I was at uni and everyone at the club used to comment on how (on the rare occasion that they did happen) accidents generally happened to more experienced pilots. Those who thought they knew what they were doing and so stopped concentrating and stopped assessing risks.
I'm involved with Mountain Rescue. On an avalanche course recently the guy who led our group (very experienced avalance forcaster) was saying the more you know and understand about avalanches and mountain conditions, they recon the more likely you are to be avalanched... Its they old complacency thing again.
GB
gordonb said:
I'm involved with Mountain Rescue. On an avalanche course recently the guy who led our group (very experienced avalance forcaster) was saying the more you know and understand about avalanches and mountain conditions, they recon the more likely you are to be avalanched... Its they old complacency thing again.
GB
Thats probably not the best example though, as the people who know and understand more about avalanches are also generally the ones who are spending much more time in the mountains, and as they're more experienced they're going to places which have more inherent risk than the places less experienced/knowledgable people go. They may well be more likely to get avalanched, but not just because of complacency IMO.
There may be a similar thing with driving, you're more likely to have an incident on a road you know well not just because you're complacent but because you spend much more time on it, so statistically theres a higher probability that you'll be on that stretch of road when you make a mistake, or when someone else makes a mistake that affects you.
Having said that, I agree with the general point of the OP, I know theres roads I like to drive on where because I know a given corner fairly well I might have some sideways fun round it, I know where the road goes, how wide it is and where an escape route would be if there was a car coming the other way, but that escape route could also be effected by something unexpected. The more experienced I get though the more carefully I take blind corners and crests on backroads, just in case someone is coming the other way driving like I would have a few years ago. A few close calls and you tend to learn your lesson.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 30th April 02:30
Yep, you should always drive like your on a new road and try not use prior knowledge.
I've driven on the same road very often and then walked along it and seen things I'd never noticed before, and realised that it was a potential hazard in the right, or wrong, circumstances.
Take everything as it comes is how I like to look at it. Just because that bend didn't have a branch over the middle of it the other day as you rounded it a little bit on the brisk side doesn't mean there won't be one there today when you use your prior knowledge of the bends form to make a bit more progress! (talking from experience there
)
Dave
I've driven on the same road very often and then walked along it and seen things I'd never noticed before, and realised that it was a potential hazard in the right, or wrong, circumstances.
Take everything as it comes is how I like to look at it. Just because that bend didn't have a branch over the middle of it the other day as you rounded it a little bit on the brisk side doesn't mean there won't be one there today when you use your prior knowledge of the bends form to make a bit more progress! (talking from experience there
) Dave
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff