SMIDSY theory - motion camouflage

[MrsMiggins]

Just got the new issue of Bike which has a 2 page article on this theory which *might* explain some SMIDSYs. Apparently motorbikes are like dragonflies!

The theory is that, if you head in a straight line towards a car, then you essentially become invisible because you don't appear to move relative to your surroundings. When you get close enough you "loom" into view, but by this time the car has already come across your path, the driver is startled by your 'sudden' appearance and freezes like a deer in headlights, typically jumping on the brakes.

Certainly sounds familiar and I'm glad to see that Bike are still investigating the causes of SMIDSYs. With the A-pillar story they did with SafeSpeed and now this they are certainly helping to nudge road safety in the right direction. Think they can convince TRL to spend another £70k on investigating this one?

[BOR]

I agree, er, Mrs Miggins.

The solution is to violently counter-steer side to side as you approach the junction. This generates movement across the driver' retina which is a stronger signal than fore-aft movement.

[Mad Dave]

The solution is to fit all cars with a big spike that sticks into the drivers backside every time they lose concentration/answer their mobile or pull out of a junction without looking.

[racefan_uk]

Mad Dave said:

The solution is to fit all cars with a big spike that sticks into the drivers backside every time they lose concentration/answer their mobile or pull out of a junction without looking.

Better than that, replace all drivers air bags with a 3ft long metal spike that will shoot out of the centre of the steering wheel if they hit anything.

Watch the concentration levels shoot up while driving then!

[Davel]

Frightening to read.

What would a BiB say if he saw you weaving across your lane, approaching a junction?

Clearly headlights, high viz and light coloured helmets are not sufficient to save us.

What more can we do?

>> Edited by Davel on Friday 4th February 12:33

[beano500]

Davel said:

What would a BiB say if he saw you weaving across you lane, approaching a junction?

Don't weave, just alter your position in relation to teh junction. Move away from the areas of danger - thinkign like that will make you move across the driver's field of view.

[MrsMiggins]

Agreed. Just being aware that the car waiting at the junction might be driven my Mr Magoo might be enough.

Still like to see some 'think bike' type ads though.

[red]

Something that has been discussed on other sites including Visordown for some time, not a new discovery that Bike would have us believe.