Eye contact - valid survival skill or bullshit?

**James Deuce** · 25th May 2011, 13:02

Hutt City Council are currently running a "safety" campaign for pedestrians and some of their media are suggesting not stepping out onto a pedestrian crossing until you've made eye contact with the driver.

Personally, after my long experience on motorcycles, I'd only use the eye contact method if I was suicidal. How many of you have been hit after making some sort of connection with a driver? Is it just me being ultra-paranoid or is this really dumb advice verging on vexatious advice? Are Hutt City trying to reduce the population of non-ratepayers, because as we all know, only losers walk anywhere?

**willytheekid** · 25th May 2011, 13:13

mmmmmmm, target fixation!

...saw the whites of their eyes and went straight over em officer...but at least I made eye contact

**mulletman** · 25th May 2011, 13:15

In my workplace with say trucks and forklifts its common practice so valid, some awareness is good.

**oneofsix** · 25th May 2011, 13:16

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Hutt City Council are currently running a "safety" campaign for pedestrians and some of their media are suggesting not stepping out onto a pedestrian crossing until you've made eye contact with the driver.

Personally, after my long experience on motorcycles, I'd only use the eye contact method if I was suicidal. How many of you have been hit after making some sort of connection with a driver? Is it just me being ultra-paranoid or is this really dumb advice verging on vexatious advice? Are Hutt City trying to reduce the population of non-ratepayers, because as we all know, only losers walk anywhere?

theory is that if you have made eye contact then they have seen you. I suspect reality is it makes little to no difference. Some will have seen you and perceived you, (realised what you are about to do) others will have seen you and registered nothing, and some will have seen you and be wondering what the hell that was all about as they drive and it wont be until after they pass you they realise that they should have given way. Also when riding making eye contact means you have been fixing on a target.

**jim.cox** · 25th May 2011, 13:16

I, for one, think there is some merit in the approach

I do know that I get the "he hasn't seen me yet" feeling when watching some drivers.

I dont fixate on the driver - its just one of a number of things I look out for

**Katman** · 25th May 2011, 13:20

I only ever use eye contact with another motorist as a means to try figuring out what they intend to do.

Eye contact should never be used as an indication that you have been seen and are being given right of way.

**Stirts** · 25th May 2011, 13:50

Looking vs seeing are two totally separate things for some people

**Ocean1** · 25th May 2011, 13:55

'Spose it's better than not looking at all.

I've got that T shirt, though. The one from where the bitch lookd me straight in the eye, looked the other way... and pulled out straight in front of me. Flying lesson #1. On an XL350, no less.

Seemed unbelievable at the time, but I've seen it so many times, (and done similar myself) that it doesn't surprise me any more.

**oneofsix** · 25th May 2011, 13:57

Originally Posted by Stirts

Looking vs seeing are two totally separate things for some people

One way of putting it I read recently is that there is looking, seeing and perceiving. I like this because so many seem to look and see but don't seem to be about to work out how what they have seen is going to affect them.

**unstuck** · 25th May 2011, 13:58

Usually only eyeball fuckers im passing who have pissed me off.

**Stirts** · 25th May 2011, 14:03

Originally Posted by oneofsix

I like this because so many seem to look and see but don't seem to be about to work out how what they have seen is going to affect them.

It is a terrible disease that makes you unable to brain. I beleive they call it "The dumb"

**Brian d marge** · 25th May 2011, 14:28

Originally Posted by Katman

Eye contact should never be used as an indication that you have been seen and are being given right of way.

It can be , when accompanied by a written statement ( in triplicate , signed by the Shire Reef ) and only the MAY I trust the buggers ... ( thats only when the moon is in Aquarius ( usually on the 2nd or 3rd of Octember

Stephen

**MSTRS:Me** · 25th May 2011, 14:38

You are staring straight into their eyes, and they are looking straight back into yours...or are they? Just how do you know for sure that they aren't looking at something 40mm to the left of your left eye, say?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 25th May 2011, 15:43

Did anyone ever watch that program on telly 'Ross Kemp' on gangs? The whole eye thing reminds me of an episode, where a huge black guy was telling Kemp about the particular way he raped other inmates. He looked them straight in the eyes. So you see, you'll still get fucked with direct eye contact.

**cbfb** · 25th May 2011, 16:27

Originally Posted by Katman

I only ever use eye contact with another motorist as a means to try figuring out what they intend to do.

Eye contact should never be used as an indication that you have been seen and are being given right of way.

+1

Who's to say the motorist isn't thinking "ah good they've seen me they must realise I'm gonna steam right over this crossing and have no intention of stopping" (which is generally what they do round these parts)