When practiced reactions don't help

[Road kill]

I came around a corner on a wet day and spotted a BIG rainbow spread out all over the road.

I said "ah shit" an crashed.

That "ah shit" was pretty instinctive.

[Subike]

Interesting this thread. Practice helps, making it an automatic response is good.
This morning I had an incident, almost.
Stationary at a set of lights, 5.30am, wet roads, light traffic.
Light changes to green, go to pull off, but braked immediately I took off as the ute coming from the right looked too fast.
It was only a glimpse in my prefial vision, but sum thing didn't look right, I stopped and sat the as the utes sailed across the intersection with its big floatation tires aquaplaning across a rather large puddle. The drivers face had the "OH FUCK SHI SHI SHIT " look on his face.
I could have been under that truck.
The practiced quick scan right left at lights every time, paid off this time. I find that creating habits of defensive riding over time has helped me more than once to avoid potential situations. It comes back to me as, every ride has the potential for and off, so every ride is total focus, and every ride is also an opportunity to practice defensive riding skills. Learn something new every day if you can. Take nothing for granted.