Fatal target fixation...

**Ixion** · 26th March 2008, 20:53

The *law* is that you must be able to stop in one half the clear visible distance ahead on a single lane road (ie no centre line); and in the clear distance ahead where there is a centre line.

The logic being, as someone said, that if the road is divided, then in theory the worst case scenario is a staionary object ahead. Whereas if it is not, both you and the oncoming vehicle may have to stop in the clear disatnce. half each.

Wisdom says that maybe allowing a bit more than the bare law might be a good idea.

**Pussy** · 26th March 2008, 20:54

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Sigh indeed. And I still can't believe after watching this that there will still be some out there in kbland who will still spout "htfu" etc. when others complain of dickhead riders like that amongst us. Anyone with even a modicum of honesty will acknowledge that there's an element who will risk their own (and others' lives) riding in the manner shown in that footage - and then think that because they didn't happen to die that day (or kill anyone else) that it makes it ok. Then when anyone has the gall to complain/criticise- especially if they were glorifying their stupidity - they go into overdrive about their prowess or launch into attacking the complainee. Good God, how many incidents like there must there be before people wake up to the reality that we don't live in our own little "invicibility ball" when we're out there on the road. If you can't separate reality from fantasy stay the hell off ya bike! (or stay the hell out of ya car whatever).

+1... couldn't have said it any better myself

**TOTO** · 27th March 2008, 00:49

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Sigh indeed. And I still can't believe after watching this that there will still be some out there in kbland who will still spout "htfu" etc. when others complain of dickhead riders like that amongst us. Anyone with even a modicum of honesty will acknowledge that there's an element who will risk their own (and others' lives) riding in the manner shown in that footage - and then think that because they didn't happen to die that day (or kill anyone else) that it makes it ok. Then when anyone has the gall to complain/criticise- especially if they were glorifying their stupidity - they go into overdrive about their prowess or launch into attacking the complainee. Good God, how many incidents like there must there be before people wake up to the reality that we don't live in our own little "invicibility ball" when we're out there on the road. If you can't separate reality from fantasy stay the hell off ya bike! (or stay the hell out of ya car whatever).

+2 on that.

**sinned** · 27th March 2008, 16:44

Originally Posted by swbarnett

I think this is a case of double target fixation. The rider that is on the correct side of the road (the one without the camera) seems to have made no attempt to take evasive action. The lane to their right was free and clear, affording a viable escape root.

Also, without sound it's hard to say but a blast on the horn may have broken the other rider's target fixation. If ever I'm in a similar situation I always sound the horn in an attempt to have two drivers/riders trying to avoid a collision instead of just one.

If the speeds were lower these actions may work. This rider was going far too fast for his own capability and probably also for the conditions. Count the time between him just missing the first bike and hitting the second one, 1 - 2 seconds? The other rider did not have time to react or change the bikes path. Target fixation or shock after missing the first bike? - we will never know.

He was just riding too fast for his ability and the conditions.

**Ripperjon** · 31st March 2008, 22:20

Do you think he might have locked up the front when he gets himself stuck between the near-miss and the car he tried to pass too late?
Looks like the front dips as he is about to pull back in. Maybe he was looking at the car or maybe even the first bike over his shoulder out of fright as he sails to the left? Who knows

Don't know how experienced the guy was but as a noob i know how easy it is to fixate and having watched the vid i wouldn't fancy my own chances of avoiding the second bike in a situation like that. First time watching i barely saw it coming either.

On the subject of fixation;

Something i noticed in myself today while i was out riding with friends was that when i had someone ahead of me around a bend i tended to fixate on them instead of looking through the corner. I was riding safely far back so not in danger of collision with them but i found i was watching them rather than concentrating on my own line / speed.
I realised that it was making me imitate their riding and putting me in a position on the road where i was having to lean the bike harder than i am used to at the moment. (He'd go out wider and lean in tighter than i've been doing).
Luckily, i noticed i was doing this stuff early enough to avoid upset.

**GaZBur** · 1st April 2008, 08:14

I think target fixation is a good title to this thread even if it may not have been the real problem in this case. Its well known LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO! Your natural instincts will do the bike riding - if you are looking at the gravel on the outside of a turn instead of the path you want to ride - guess where you will end up. Sounds like bullshit - try it sometime - but not with a solid object please!

**discotex** · 1st April 2008, 19:28

Originally Posted by Ripperjon

Looks like the front dips as he is about to pull back in. Maybe he was looking at the car or maybe even the first bike over his shoulder out of fright as he sails to the left? Who knows

That's the target fixation in action. He's actually locked onto the oncoming rider and steers into them.

The other problem is that one rider goes left, the other goes right and they haven't achieved anything. They then both try the other direction and they're still on collision course.

It's something that happens even at the slow speed of boats and as a result a rule of "everyone turn right when in doubt" has been developed.

**discotex** · 1st April 2008, 19:29

Originally Posted by Quasievil

mmmmm where have I seen that happen before.

RIP Daryl n Bruce

I've seen this vid too many times. Makes me fucking sick after reading your account of that day Quasi.

I stay on my side of the line so why can't everyone else? Pisses me off that I have to sacrifice a portion of my side of the road expecting it. Worse than the cages doing it are the bikes. We should know better.

**homer** · 1st April 2008, 19:54

watching the vid carefully , just befor ethe impact you see the bike move from left to right and back about 2 times , he didnt know where to go
still no excusses, just that he was looking for the way out then kept looking at the target

**sAsLEX** · 1st April 2008, 20:15

Originally Posted by discotex

That's the target fixation in action. He's actually locked onto the oncoming rider and steers into them.

Hmmm we are assuming here, the fact he very nearly clips the first bike might make him simply sit the bike up in shock.

But the fact there was space to the left and right of the oncoming bike he could of used as escape routes does lend evidence to this.

Stay on your side of the road.

And as Quasi said plan for a hoon coming the other way, I was taught Police car coming the other way at 200

**Mikkel** · 2nd April 2008, 00:10

Well, dunno what year the GSX-R was - but if it was an older 600 ccm it wouldn't have had USD forks and changing direction becomes a challenge. (p/t)

It seems people don't appreciate how little time you have to react when you're travelling at ~130 km/h and something is coming your way at a similar speed. There simply isn't enough time to rationalise that there's space on both sides of the oncoming bike - it's about reacting in the right way, and riding straight into the other bike is not it.

**swbarnett** · 2nd April 2008, 15:49

Originally Posted by Mikkel

It seems people don't appreciate how little time you have to react when you're travelling at ~130 km/h and something is coming your way at a similar speed. There simply isn't enough time to rationalise that there's space on both sides of the oncoming bike - it's about reacting in the right way, and riding straight into the other bike is not it.

A bit like cricket. If you're facing a fast bowler you have to predict from the bowler's movement where the ball will be and decide where and how to swing before the ball leaves the bowler's hand because there's simply not enough time afterwards to make a decision and act on it.